John Norman Nelson, 84, of Shelly, MN, died on July 8, 2013, at Hillsboro Medical Center in Hillsboro, ND, under the care of Hospice.

He was born the fifth child of Nels and Signa (Lokken) Nelson on November 8, 1928, in Tomahawk, WI. John graduated from Merrill High School in Merrill, WI in 1947, and shortly thereafter hitchhiked to the west coast. Upon returning, he lived with his sister Beryl in Chicago until joining the US Army in 1950, where he served for several months in Germany.

John married Nathaine Stone on July 3, 1951, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA and started a family that grew to seven children over the next ten years. After being honorably discharged from the Army, John worked at a paper mill in Nekoosa, WI, and designed and built two houses for his family. During this time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and serving as a Cub Scout leader. In 1967 he moved his family and started a new life as a construction worker in Beloit, WI. Camping became the main vacation pastime which included trips to Florida and California. John and Nathaine divorced in May, 1976.

John and Lanette Olson were united in marriage on February 14, 1982 in Phoenix, AZ. John continued his career working in construction by building and inspecting houses and started J&L Construction with Loren Olson. He enjoyed spending time with his new family of 2 children as well as his other children and grandchildren.

John and Lanette moved to Shelly, MN, in 1996 and purchased a home that they remodeled. John and Lanette made many new friends and were active in their church and community. John enjoyed playing Whist with his card club and was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion. He loved the special times he spent with his loyal companion, Patches.

John is survived by his wife, Lanette, of Shelly, sons, Jerry and Gale, of Cascade, WI, Ken of Janesville, WI, Ron (Brenda) of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Dan (Kay) of Phoenix, AZ, Dennis (Michele) Olson, Glendale, AZ, daughters, Sue (Pat) York, Beloit, WI, Denise (Tony) Montoya, Albuquerque, NM, 17 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren, and loving companion, Patches. He was preceded by his parents, a daughter, Lisa Ertz, a grandson, Todd N. Olson, brothers, Teddy Nelson and Harold Nelson, and sisters, Beryl Rossner and Joyce Rose.

Funeral: 11:00AM Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Fredrikson Valley Funeral Home, Halstad, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the funeral home.