Milton Nelson

Remembering the life of Milton Nelson…

The Funeral Service for Milton Clair Nelson, of New Richland , will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, October 10, 2008, at the Vista Evangelical Covenant Church , rural New Richland . Pastor Steve Thompson will officiate. Interment will be in the Vista Covenant Cemetery . Visitation will be from 4-8 P.M. on Thursday at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland and one hour before the service at the church.

He was born on June 24, 1925, in Manchester , MN , the son of Joseph G. and Clara (Stensrud) Nelson. He attended country school and then when he was 8 years old his family moved to the home farm in rural New Richland , where he had still resided. He was a 1943 graduate of New Richland High School . Milton was united in marriage to Phyllis Gehring on June 21, 1949, in Waseca. Together they lived and farmed on his home farm, and Milton had also sold used cars, sold machinery for the International dealer in New Richland , and he and a partner started Richland Realty. Milton took great pride in his country and in the New Richland community in which he lived. He had served as president of the New Richland Development Corporation for most of its existence. Helping name the streets of the city was a big highlight for him. He had served as NFO grain coordinator for Waseca and Steele Counties for several years, was Administrator for the Waseca County Trail Association and was a member of the “Snow Birds”. Milton had been a member of the Gideon Organization for 35 years and was an active member of Vista Evangelical Covenant Church . He had been a Sunday School

Teacher for more than 40 years. Milton’s life centered on his faith and his personal relationship with Christ, bearing witness to this was an important mission for him.

Milton died peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2008 at the New Richland Care Center . He was 83.

Milton will be greatly missed by his family: wife Phyllis of rural New Richland, six children: Debra Davis of Weslaco, TX, Jodel (Rick) Uttech of East Chain, MN, Bradley (Eliese) Nelson of Rochester, MN, Dawn (Delane) Nelson of New Richland, Eric (Suzanne) Nelson of Culver City, CA, Kari (Chad) Peters of Montgomery, MN; 22 grandchildren: Aaron Davis of Rochester, MN, Sheena (Nicholas) Pocquette of Brooklyn Center, MN, Ryan (Betsy) Uttech of New Prague, MN, Shelly (Kirk) Jostad of New Brighton, MN, Jennie Uttech of New Brighton, MN, Katy Uttech of East Chain, MN, Joseph and Jacob Nelson of Rochester, MN, Karina, Gracie, Elizabeth, Isaac, Eli, Israel, Claire and Hope Nelson all of New Richland, MN, Amanda, Jacquelyn and Shayla Nelson all of Culver City, CA, Everett, Samuel, and Lily Peters of Montgomery, MN; great grandchildren Caleb Jostad of New Brighton, MN and Benjamin Uttech of New Prague, MN; a sister Cecelia Dickey of New Hope, MN; sisters-in-law: Elaine Kramer, Gladys Barden, Helen Weckwerth and Gloria Possehl, all of Waseca, and several other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Milton will be lovingly remembered for his great sense of humor and will always be affectionately thought of as a “fun” grandpa.

The twinkle in his eye shone the brightest when he was surrounded by family, sharing time and activities with his grandchildren , and having a cup of coffee and visit with friends.