Robert Norman Nelson

ROBERT NORMAN NELSON

Robert Norman Nelson, 85, Alta Vista, VA (formerly from the Rock Dell area) passed through the pearly gates of Heaven on June 29, 2017,  after being diagnosed with Lymphoma.

Born to Norman and Irene (Fosse) Nelson on September 14, 1931, Robert grew up in Rock Dell on the family farm and attended East St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  He graduated from Stewartville High School and was a veteran from the Korean War era.  He married Pauline Engel in December, 1951  and they had a daughter, Brenda Kay Nelson-Combs,  prior to moving to Charlotte, NC in 1961.  They were later divorced.  Robert spent the majority of his life in the automobile industry as an owner/salesman  in North Carolina and Virginia.

Survivors include two sisters - Janice (Don) Mummert, Tucson, AZ, and DeVonne Marien, Long Beach, CA; one grandson, Spencer Combs, Greensboro, NC; many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews and extended family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Nelson and Irene Nelson Fosse and his daughter, Brenda.

He will be remembered for his big heart, big smile and jovial laugh.  Being a full blooded Norwegian, he was counted on to say the Norwegian table prayer, in Norwegian,  at every family reunion and was able to travel to Norway with family several years ago to visit.

The funeral service for Robert will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 2, at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 6200 SW County Rd 3, Byron, MN, with the Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Interment will follow in the Zion Cemetery with military honors by the Stewartville American Legion.  A light Lunch at the church will be served after.  All are welcome.

The family prefers memorials to the East St. Olaf Heritage House.  Czaplewski Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Hayfield assisted with arrangements

Blessed be his memory.

www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com