Richard was born on September 3rd in Morrison County, Minnesota to parents Henry and Loretta (Kurtzahn) Nelson. The family lived in Minnesota most of his life except for two short periods of time in Phoenix, AZ and Fresno, California.  At the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Navy where he served our country. While home on furlough in 1957 Richard met Nancy (Gustafson).  Richard and Nancy were married on July 20, 1957. They have four children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Richard loved camping, fishing and hunting. Richard loved serving the Lord as a Sunday School bus driver, school bus driver and security and usher duties. Richard had many jobs during his life from paperboy to a welder in a welding shop, driving garbage truck, driving a semi for Minnesota Fabrics and even opening his own welding shop for a short time. He went to college to get a degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics at the age 50. Richard got hired as an Orthotist/Prosthetist for the Milwaukee VA Hospital after his graduation from college. Richard loved working with the patients and helping them by making braces or artificial limbs. 

Richard and Nancy moved back to Elk River, MN when he had to retire and have knee replacement surgery. In March 2012, Richard needed another surgery to repair a knee replacement. Due to a severe staph infection he had his right leg amputated in July 2012. In March of 2013 he was still battling the infection and had his left leg amputated. When he was released from the hospital he and Nancy moved into Nate and Wendy’s ground level apartment that is attached to their main house. In May of 2018 he was admitted to the Minneapolis VA Hospital for 6 weeks of radiation treatments for Lymphoma. His health started declining after the treatments. He was in the CLC Unit of the Minneapolis VA Hospital until his promotion to Glory on Monday, September 3, 2018.


I remember watching every episode of Star Trek, Star Trek TNG, Star Gate SG-1, and every Star Trek movie together with my PaPa. The Voyage Home was our favorite Star Trek movie.

I remember when we were kids, I was at your house and your dad made soup.  He said it was chicken.  After we were done eating he told me that it was actually rabbit!  He sure enjoyed teasing us!



I sure enjoyed the photos you shared of Dick's life. My husband Don, and Dick were very good friends and shared the Fourth Baptist Sunday School Bus Ministry together. They truly loved the kids and calling on families to come to S. S. They also went hunting together. We also enjoyed going out to eat together. So I have many good memories of your family. I am praying for God's comfort, love and peace for your family.                  

With love and prayers and sympathy, Joyce Fosland

I remember Dad making us liver & onions and spinach, and one of those times when he asked if we liked it, I ate it all and said I liked it because I knew I would get a 2nd helping if I said I didn't like it. I also remember him reading Bible stories to us from his Bible, it was our bedtime stories and of course the way he woke us up in the mornings with Reveille call. He was our Sunday school bus driver and he cared about everyone on his bus route, sometimes on Saturdays he would pick up the kids from his bus route and we would all go to my Grandpa Nelson's house, his Dad, and we would go on an old fashioned wagon ride, not with a tractor but real horses/ponies, that was an adventure for the north Mpls city kids.

Grandpa always called me Katie darlin'. We had a special bond that started when I took my first breath of air. 

I loved visiting my grandpa whether that was at their house, my parents house or the hospital.  He always had the best stories to tell. I am so thankful to have had such a good relationship with my grandpa. I miss him and know I will see him again some day. 

Dad used to sing “Oh Susannah” to me, that made me feel very special. When Dad woke us up in the morning he would flip the lights off & on and say “Revelee Revelee ! Christmas was very special, Dad took movies when we all went to Aunt Muriel’s house and then he would get out the projector 📽 and we all watched the movies- he always used to play the movie forward & back so it looked  like Aunt Marion was uncovering her knee instead of covering it. He was quite a tease!  Dad was very proud of his career in Orthotics and we were proud of him 😊

I remember one Christmas we couldn’t get a tree so Dad cut some branches off of our pine tree and put them in a vase. When we lived in the school house Dad stood on  Flicka & Sugar ‘s Backs but as he was showing off, the ponies  decided to split at a tree - I can’t remember if he just fell off or hopped on Sugar’s back ! 

I am thankful for the last 6 years that I was able to care for  my dad in our home. It wasn't always easy but, I thank the Lord for providing Nate and I with a home that would meet the needs of my dad. I love you dad, and I will miss you. I am so thankful for God's promises of seeing you again in Heaven.  Love, Wendy

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Preceded in death by Parents, Henry and Loretta; Sister, Betty Ann Feeley; Brother, Paul; and Great-granddaughter, Katerina Rose Owens. 

Survived by Wife, Nancy Nelson; Daughters, Wendy (Nathan) Sandahl, Becky (Joe) Mariette, and Susan Nelson; Son, Daniel (Suzette); many Beloved Grandchildren; Great-grandchildren; Nieces and Nephews

OBITUARY

Richard H. Nelson

September 3, 1937 – September 3, 2018

Gearhart Funeral Home

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