1918
Walter
2010
Walter Nelson
August 15, 1918 — May 11, 2010
Walter E. Nelson, age 91 of Chisago City, Minnesota, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Margaret S. Parmly residence on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
Walter served in the 2
nd
Division Army Band during World War II. After the war, he and his brother bought and ran the Mint Café on Main Street in Britton, SD, where he cooked. He briefly sold for Fuller Brush Company, then taught music to K-12 in Plankinton and Volga, SD. He finished his career clerking at the Post Office in Plankinton and Aberdeen. Throughout his life, music was his love. He played clarinet and saxophone in numerous dance bands, including the Jim Downie Band, the Don Warren Band, Desert Swing, and the Bob Downie Band. He joined the 147
th
National Guard Army Band in Mitchell and rose to Warrant Officer. At 91, he was still performing Big Band tunes at senior residences with his son-in-law January Raabe.
Walter is preceded in death by his parents, George and Coba (nee Peterson) Nelson; wife Wanda; eight siblings. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him including his children, Carol (January) Raabe, Ione (James) Jones, Alice (George) Nelson-Lindall, Merle (Russ) Kosel, Boyd (Brenda) Nelson, Robert (Pam Jacob) Nelson, 28 grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Emma Nelson, Leone Nelson, Norma Martin; other family and friends. Walter will be dearly remembered for his big band song playing in a piano/sax duet for many area seniors.
A Celebration of His Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, 28005 Old Towne Road, Chisago City, Minnesota with a time of food and fellowship immediately following full military honors. Walter and his beloved wife Wanda will be interred at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota later this month. The family prefers memorials to Parmly Life Pointes, 28210 Old Towne Road,Chisago City, Minnesota 55013 c/o Piano Fund.
A Celebration of His Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, 28005 Old Towne Road, Chisago City, Minnesota with a time of food and fellowship immediately following full military honors. Walter and his beloved wife Wanda will be interred at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota later this month. The family prefers memorials to Parmly Life Pointes, 28210 Old Towne Road,Chisago City, Minnesota 55013 c/o Piano Fund.
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