Erling Nelson, 79, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at St James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St S.E., Mason City, with the Rev. Paul Nelson and the Rev. Jeni Bohls officiating. Visitation was from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Erling Nelson Memorial Fund.
Erling B. Nelson was born March 26, 1929, in Minneapolis, the son of Ernest C. and Bernett C. (Nelson) Nelson. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1947 and also attended two years of junior college in Austin. He was drafted into the Army in 1950 and served in the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1952. He was married to Dorothy L. Lyman on Aug. 5, 1956, in Racine. Erling began his railroad career in Albert Lea with the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad and continued with the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1965, when he and his family moved to Sioux City, Iowa. In 1970, the family moved to Mason City, where Erling worked with the C&NW until his retirement in 1985. He belonged to the VFW, Elks Lodge, American Legion, and was also an active member of St. James Lutheran Church. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, golfing, bowling, and golfing. He loved traveling with his wife, especially to visit his family, whom were very important to him.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy L. Nelson of Mason City; children: Kimberly Pappas and husband Tony of Mason City, Jennifer Nelson of St. Paul, Stuart Nelson and wife Kathy of Waterloo, Iowa, Rebecca Nelson of Minneapolis, and grandchildren: Sam, Matt, and Jake Nelson and Nicole, Olivia and Ben Pappas; brother, Gary Nelson and wife Sharon of Hastings; sister, Cleo Christensen of Austin; aunt, Pearl Nelson of Conger; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Bill Christensen; and several dear aunts and uncles.
A special thanks to those who spent many hours with Erling, providing support, care, and love to he and his family during the recent months.