Harold Nelson's Obituary
Harold Nelson was born on March 23, 1924 during a blizzard in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Alfred and Martha Nelson, who were immigrants from Sweden.
He was baptized and raised at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, the same church that Connie grew up in. He attended sunday school, was confirmed, was a member of the Luther League group, and sang in choir.
Harold graduated from Roosevelt High School in January 1942, and was subsequently drafted into the Army Air Force. He was a private and was stationed and served in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. After being honorably discharged in 1946 he worked for a brief period with Northwest Airlines in Fort Nelson, British Columbia. He was a mechanic and worked on Soviet Union era planes.
Harold moved back to Minneapolis and began working with his father and brother Jerry as a brick-layer. Although he didn't love the work it taught him the virtue of hard work, a quality he carried throughout his life.
Connie Knutson, 8 years younger than Harold, was also a member of Bethany Lutheran. They sang in choir together and were both involved in Luther League. Harold began giving Connie rides to and from her nurses training at Fairview Hospital. Car rides grew into something more and Harold and Connie were married on April 18, 1952 at Bethany. Connie worked as a nurse and Harold continued working as a brick-layer. Harold built their first home in Minnetonka.
All the Nelson children were born during the Minnesota years: Kenneth in 1957 (who died a year later in 1958 from encephalitis), Laura in 1958, Curtis Jay in 1960, and Terry in 1964. The entire family moved to Hopkins, Minnesota and then made the move west to Wenatchee, Washington in 1969. Harold had been promised a job by a friend, and on that basis he came to Wenatchee in December 1968, bought a house, and then invited his family to join him! The promised job never really materialized so Harold started his own business, Nelson Enterprises, doing interior home work (laying tile and carpet, etc.). During the 25 years they lived in Wenatchee, Harold worked in many of the high-end homes in the area. Harold retired at 65 and while Connie continued to working as a nurse. Harold became a very proficient house-husband.
Harold and Connie made many trips over the pass to visit their children and grandchildren living in Lakewood. They got tired of driving and eventually moved to their home on Onyx Street in Lakewood in 1994.
Harold and Connie had a very full life. They enjoyed traveling and visited 48 states (missing Ohio and New Jersey). They traveled from Key West, Florida to the end of the road in central Alaska. They had memorable camping trips to Bryce Canyon in Utah and Yosemite National Park. They enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing. With hip-replacements (Harold had 3!) Harold and Connie got interested in -ËœDisc Golf', a game they played at courses throughout the United States.
During his retirement Harold was active in the community-he was involved in the Blue Berry Park in Tacoma and Lakewood, and the Curran Orchard in University Place, where he cared for and enjoyed the fruit from an apple tree. He worked briefly with Habitat for Humanity and some of his extra tools will be donated to Habitat.
Throughout his life Harold was a hard worker, who ministered with his hands. Connie says he was an excellent provider.
Harold was diagnosed with melanoma in 1993 and had successful surgery and treatment. The melanoma reappeared in December 2009. Harold died quietly at his home in his bedroom on Tuesday morning, August 10, 2010. He will be dearly missed!
Harold is lovingly survived by his wife Connie, of Lakewood; his daughter Laura Wood and her husband Mike, of Lakewood; his son Curt Nelson of Idaho; his daughter Terry Donor and her husband Pete of Lakewood, and their children Josiah, Micah, Noah, and Hannah; and his brother Bob Nelson of Minneapolis.
Harold was preceded in death by his son, Kenny; his parents Alfred and Martha and his brothers Lenny, Bill, and Jerry.
We commend Harold into the hands of his loving heavenly Father.
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