Dick Nelson

Nelson, Richard 'Dick'

McFarland - Richard L. "Dick" Nelson, age 90, passed away unexpectedly at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison on Sunday, October 23, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was born in the Town of Christiana on October 2, 1921, the son of Oscar and Helma (Jacobson) Nelson. He was baptized into the Body of Christ and was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. Dick was united in marriage to Helen Mae Johnson on May 8, 1943. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Madison Business College. Dick served his country in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator on a B-17 during WWII. His various career occupations began as a fingerprint expert with the FBI in Washington DC and Milwaukee. After that, he was a partner with the Christianson and Nelson Funeral Home in Stoughton, owned Nelson's Hardware Store, managed Blair House Furniture, owned Nelson-Berg Furniture and was a furniture sales manager at American TV. After retirement, Dick enjoyed his work at TASC until his second retirement at age 83. He was a member of the McFarland Village Board, Clerk and Village Administrator, a Charter Member of the McFarland Lions Club, the American Legion, the McFarland volunteer fire department, the McFarland Lutheran Church Council, and volunteered at the Community Food Pantry until his death. Dick enjoyed woodworking, gardening, collecting recipes, and was an avid fan of the Brewers, Packers and Badgers. He was a loving and caring father, grandfather and friend. He relished spending time with family and friends, including friends at the Maple Tree and co-workers at the Food Pantry. He is survived by two children, Pastor Jon (Alice) Nelson of Wenatchee, WA, and Barbara (Dan) Anderson; grandchildren, Matthew (Brynn), Chad and Lindsey Anderson, all of DeForest; two sisters-in-law, Joanne (Jerry) Baehman, Beatrice (William) Geise; a brother-in-law, Bob (Marian) Johnson, and his beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; an infant son; his parents; a brother, Donald (Eleanor) Nelson; and a son-in-law, Charles J. Anderson. Visitation will be at the McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Road on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 10:00 am until noon. A memorial service will be held at noon
with Pastors Katya Ouchakof and Jon Nelson officiating with lunch following. A private burial will take place at East Koshkonong Cemetery prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's name to either the McFarland Community Food Pantry, the McFarland Lutheran Church, or the American Diabetes Association.
Cress Funeral Service
5801 Hwy 51
McFarland 608-838-0655
www.CressFuneralService.com