Raymond Ellsworth Nelson

Raymond Ellsworth Nelson was born on December 31, 1924 to Henry and Emma Hovland Nelson in Albert Lea. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. Raymond graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1942 and attended Luther Academy for a short time. Raymond then went into the United States Navy where he served in the Philippines during WWII. On August 12, 1945 he was united in marriage to Kathleen Kline at Trinity Lutheran Church. Raymond worked for Foley Construction and Paul Olson Construction as a carpenter. He built his own home in the late 1950's. Raymond later worked as plant layout engineer for Queen Stoves, retiring in 1982. He was a life long member of Trinity Lutheran Church, a member of the American Legion and VFW. Raymond played church league softball and was inducted into the Freeborn County Softball Hall of Fame. He also loved playing golf in his spare time. Survivors include his daughter, Sue and husband, Gary Hunnicutt of Geneva; son, Reed Nelson of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Amy and husband, Alex Kromminga of Dover, MN, Eric Hunnicutt and significant other, Alissa Abrams and her daughter Brooklyn of Albert Lea, Lisa and husband, Nick Vreeman of Rochester, Shawn Nelson of Winona and Garrett Nelson of Denver, CO; great-grandchildren, Zack and Paige Kromminga of Dover, Duncan Kromminga of Albert Lea, and Alisha Nelson of Denver, CO; and several cousins. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathleen; great-grandsons, Braden Vreeman in 2007 and Jaden Vreeman in 2009.