Henry "Hank" B. Nelson Obituary (1933

Henry "Hank" Burdette Nelson, 75, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Wednesday morning, July 15, 2009 following a long battle with cancer in the home that he and Marilyn built in 1971. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein, Iowa; Officiating: Rev. Leo Combs-Lay; Visitation: from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein and after 9:30 A.M. on Saturday at the church; Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein, Iowa with military graveside rites by Ross Reid American Legion Post # 9 Honor Guard. Hank was born September 8, 1933 in Ossian, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Clarice (Walvatne) Nelson. He was baptized October 8, 1933 and confirmed June 15, 1947 at the First Lutheran Church, rural Ossian. He grew up in the West Union and Eldorado area and attended the Dover #6 grade school in Ossian. Hank graduated from Clermont High School at Clermont, Iowa in 1952. He was a farm hand to many farmers in the area until being drafted into the Navy CB's September, 1955. He attended boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois and served in Adak and Kodiak, Alaska, also earning the carpenter apprentice award while serving in the Navy. He was honorably discharged September, 1957. He married Marilyn Meyer of Postville, Iowa at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa on December 16, 1956. The couple moved to Oelwein in June, 1959. Henry started with the D.O.T. in June of 1959. After 33 1/2 years, he retired in October, 1992. Hank and Marilyn were active members of the Zion Lutheran Church and custodians for 36 years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Lutheran Brotherhood, and Men of Zion. His hobbies included bowling, an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, horseshoe pitching, hunting, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. He was proud of the many trophies he earned pitching horseshoes. During retirement, Hank and Marilyn enjoyed attending auctions bringing home many treasures to repair. He spent many hours in his woodshop restoring and refinishing furniture for family and friends. He is survived by his wife: Marilyn (Meyer) Nelson of Oelwein, Iowa, sons Randall (Joanne) Nelson of Grundy Center, Ia., Gregory (Traci) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, Ia., daughter Barbara (Mike) Hernandez of Cedar Rapids, Ia.. He is also survived by his six grandchildren; Ryan and Kory Nelson, Kristina and Nichole Hernandez, Nicklaus and Tyler Nelson. Henry is also survived by a brother Milton (Joyce) Nelson of Decorah, Ia., sisters Delores (Roger) Leppert of Dickey, North Dakota,Joanne (Jack) Sexton of Dayton, Ohio; sisters-in-laws LaVon (Enoch) Amundsen and Judy (Kenneth) Nelson all of Clermont, Ia. and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his Son; Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, Parents; Joseph and Clarice Nelson; Brothers; Enoch and Kenneth Nelson, and a special Uncle; Elmer Nelson. Memorials may be given in his name to the Heart of Iowa Hospice In Hank's words "I've lived a good life and caught a lot of fish!"