Bertell Nelson

Funeral Services for Bertell J. “Bert” Nelson will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 27 at Bridge Community Church in Albert Lea. The Reverend Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the service at the church. Bert died on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the Hospice House of North Iowa, in Mason City. He was 87. He was born on March 15, 1931, in Albert Lea the son of Walter C. and Cora E. (Hanson) Nelson. Bert Graduated from Albert Lea High School. Throughout his life he had worked at Lakeshore Greenhouse, drove cab, was a substitute custodian at Albert Lea Schools, and then Interstate Power, retiring from the gas department after more than 30 years. He married Helen Mickelson on April 14, 1951, in Albert Lea, Minnesota and to this union Michael, LuAnn and Beth were born. She preceded Bert in death in 1990. On September 21, 1991, he married Ellen Wharam Lincicum in Clear Lake, IA. Bert was a member of First Baptist, now Bridge Community Church, where he enjoyed helping by making needed repairs. He was a good craftsman, always available to help family with home projects. Bert had many interest and hobbies which included bowling, woodworking, making birdhouses, camping and traveling. Bert is survived by his wife Ellen of Mason City, Iowa, children: Michael(Mary) Nelson of Albert Lea, LuAnn (Clark) Olson of Albert Lea, Kevin Lincicum of Mason City, Iowa, and Beth (Mike) Foust of Lester Prairie, MN; grandchildren: Travis (Jessi) Nelson of Albert Lea, Kelsey Nelson of Lake Mills, IA, Matthew Olson of Albert Lea, Shaun Olson of Albert Lea, Joshua (Dawn) Foust of Lester Prairie, MN, Jessica Winter of Aitkin, MN, and Anne (Tony) Burt of Waconia, MN; great grandchildren: Taylor Nelson, William Bair, Ryleigh Nelson, Arielle Nielsen, Noah Nelson, Natalia Nelson,  Mackenzie Olson, Chase, Carter and Belle Foust, Maddie and Wyatt Winter, AJ and Hadley Burt; sisters-in-law: Evie Nelson of New Richland, Betty Nelson of Albert Lea, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen, sister Wilda VanRiper and her husband Kenny, brothers Richard, Howard and Gerald Nelson, and step-grandson Jakob Osborne. Bert was a quiet, kind, goodhearted and gentle man. We have so many fond memories, including those of his well thought out Christmas pranks. Blessed be his memory.