Donald H. Nelson

Donald Hartvig Nelson was born on May 19, 1912 in Freeman Township, section 20, of Freeborn County, the son of Emil and Minnie Peterson Nelson. He was the ninth of eleven children. On June 25, 1938, Donald was united in marriage to Bessie Belshan in Northwood, Iowa. They celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2003. Donnie grew up and always farmed in Freeman Township except for one summer spent at Couley, North Dakota working on a threshing crew. He was a member of Round Prairie Lutheran Church, where he had been baptized and confirmed. He was active in the church at different times as a trustee, a deacon, and president of the congregation. Donnie also served on the school board of District #47. Donnie enjoyed spending time with his family, especially all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved teasing and entertaining them. Farming was special to Donnie, particularly haying. He spent many hours hunting, fishing, bowling, and playing cards. Many of these hours were spent with a special nephew, Larry Nelson. Survivors include his children Arlene and her husband Jack Allison, and David and his wife LaVonne Nelson, all of Glenville; grandchildren and their families Jody and her husband Ken Horntvedt and their daughter Rachel of Baudette, MN, Michelle and her husband Jeff Rayman and their children Chase and Cassie of Glenville, Mary Jo and her husband Pete Follmuth and their children Ryan, Brooke, and Ashley, of Austin, Dan Nelson, of Glenville, Michael and his wife Rhonda Allison and their children Gavin, Nicole, and Sara of Glenville, Jean and her husband Paul Spink and their children Calum, Morgan, and Alister of Dunham-on-Trent, England, and Jennifer and her husband David Nortunen and their children Mia, Kieren and Matthew, of Marengo, WI; sister Edna Halvorson of Northwood; sister-in-law Mabel Belshan of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bessie on January 19, 2004, an infant grandson - the son of David and LaVonne Nelson, a great-grandson Matthew, the son of Pete and Mary Jo Follmuth; sisters and their spouses Gladys and Clyde Beighley, Evelyn and Wendell Seuser, Josie and Harry Olson, Lillian and Clarence Reyerson, Bernice and Leonard Nagel, Doris and Lewis Reyerson, and Lila and Jimmy Herth; brothers and their spouses Maynard and Mary Nelson and Ervin and Alice Nelson; brothers-in-law Melvin Halvorson and Jerome Belshan; and sisters-in-law and their spouses Helen and Nolan Lang and Edna and Raymond Johnson.