Raymond A. Nelson

Raymond A. Nelson, age 93 of Hills, MN died peacefully Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 4th at The Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN with Rev. Mahlon Bekedam Officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 3rd from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at The Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, MN. Raymond A. Nelson was born at home in Hills, MN on July 17, 1916 to Otto and Minda Moe Nelson. He graduated from Hills High School in 1934 and went to work at Tri-State in Luverne to learn his fathers grain inspecting business. Drafted before Pearl Harbor, he received his basic training at Ft. Bragg, NC and then was assigned to the 33rd Division Artillery at Camp Forest, TN. His Army service included time in Hawaii, New Guinea, Morati and the Philippines where he assisted in capturing the summer capital, Bagio. With the end of hostilities, his 123rd Field Artillery unit became part of Japans occupational troops. Ray received a honorable discharge in 1945. Ray became manager of Tuthill Lumber Yard in Hills, met and married a new H.S. teacher, Lois Oleson on June 10th, 1951. Three children, Vicki, Bruce and Gail joined the family. When the lumber yard closed, Ray and Lois bought the Hills grocery store where Ray had worked as a young boy. Selling the store after 5 years, Ray was appointed Rock county Veterans Service Officer where he enjoyed helping veterans and their families with benefits, schooling, hospitalization and funerals. He retired in 1983 after 20 years and later substituted for 10 months during his successors return to service. During this time he was appointed guardian for many veterans which led to serving also as financial and farm managers for many years. Ray was a member of Hills Trinity Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church serving as president and council member, as well as Hills Village Council and Community Club. He was a life member of the VFW and held various offices in the Hills American Legion Post 399. Ray was a 60 year member of Luverne Rotary Club and was honored to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship. He also served as a delegate to Rotary International in Las Vegas. Ray was a member and original officer of Rock County Association for Retarded Citizens and instrumental in the organization of Luverne Developmental Achievement Center now known as Rock County Opportunities. He also served time on the Luverne Hospital Foundation Board and the Hills Tuff Memorial Home Board of Directors serving as treasurer. He was also an original Luverne Peer Council member. Following his retirement Ray enjoyed golfing and organizing the Hills Area Viking Open Tournament, singing with the Sioux Falls Sioux Emperian Barbershop Chorus, and attending Army reunions with 12 fellow couples. Having been instrumental in helping to bring the Minnesota Veterans Home to Luverne, Ray became a resident there on January 2009. There, he played lots of Bingo and enjoyed group sing-alongs. He quietly passed away in his sleep on February 28th, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois Nelson; son, Bruce Nelson of Brooklyn Center, MN; daughters, Vicki Nelson of Mankato, MN and Gail (Rodney) Arendsen of Charleston, SC. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Minda Nelson; sisters, Lydia Nelson and Marion Nelson Astrup.