Howard Nelson

The Funeral Service for Howard W. Nelson of Albert Lea, will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Albert Lea. The Reverend Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. Howard died peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, February 28, following a long battle with cancer. He was 86. He was born on August 7, 1925, in Albert Lea, the son of Walter and Cora(Hanson) Nelson. Howard attended Albert Lea Schools and then began working at Albert Lea Ice and Fuel and Home Lumber Yard. He was an electrician by trade and later worked for Rutherford Electric and Gene Thompson Electric from which he retired. Howard married Betty Halvorson on August 17, 1945 in Albert Lea and they celebrated 66 years together. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Albert Lea where he served in many capacities including head usher, deacon and was on the building and maintenance committee. He enjoyed woodworking, crafts, fishing, hunting, and camping in the motor home. Howard is survived by his wife Betty, of Albert Lea, daughter Pat Steele of Albert Lea, son Paul (Ginger) Nelson of Mantorville, MN; grandchildren: Shelley (Dean) Irish and their children Mitchell and Brook of Chatfield, MN; Rodney (Sheila) Steele and their children Madison and Tyler of Albert Lea; Jeremy Nelson and daughter Cassi of Dodge Center, MN; brother Bert (Ellen) Nelson of Clear Lake, IA; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Evie Nelson of New Richland, MN, Burton and Joyce Halvorson of Albert Lea; Genelle and Leonard Stuckey of TX; Shirley Halvorson of California; Linda and Glen Graham of Alaska; Barb Peterson of Big Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Wilda VanRiper, brothers Dick and Jerry Nelson and son-in-law Dennis Steele. Howard was a very giving, kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be fondly remembered for always being willing to lend a helping hand. Howard will be loved and missed by all. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the American Cancer Society , Mayo Health System-Albert Lea Hospice, or charity of choice.