John Nelson

John C. Nelson, 90, was born December 7, 1927, the sixth of fifteen children of Chris and Tessie (Detzler) Nelson in Ironton. John attended schools in Ironton and Crosby and graduated with the class of 1948. As a young man, he worked for Burns Manufacturing Company in Aitkin. In November 1950, he was drafted and served in the US Army. His tour ended in Korea and in August of 1952 he was discharged from Fort McCoy in Wisconsin.

On October 18, 1952, he married the love of his life, Florence Hendricks at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Motley. John was active in his church, St. Francis of Assisi in Brainerd. He had been a Eucharistic Minister of Communion for years. When he was able to he went to daily Mass and an hour visit each week at the Adoration Chapel. He belonged to the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was proud to be a Knight and gave out tootsie rolls in April for underprivileged children. He was a member of VFW, Post #1647 and American Legion, Post 255 in Brainerd.

John retired from Potlatch Paper Company after 28 years of service. In retirement, he kept busy. He served on the Donut Crew at The Center. He was a popcorn maker at St. Joseph’s Medical Center where many knew him as “Mister Popcorn”. He also popped corn at Good Samaritan Village – Bethany Campus. In 2006, he was named Crow Wing County Senior of the Year.

John enjoyed fishing, camping, playing cards, and dancing. He and Florence took several cruises and extended bus tours. He did beautiful scroll saw wood projects. He was especially proud of creating a jewelry or keepsake box for each one of his ten grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Florence; sons, Douglas (Janet), of Rochester, Jeffrey (Susan) of Baxter, Mark (Lynda) of Brooklyn Park, and Bruce, of Cottage Grove; daughter, Sharon (Venson) Adkins, of Smyrna, TN; 10 grandchildren, Amanda Hemsworth, Robby Ward, Jacob Nelson, Tony Nelson, Sheila Cootes, Jenna Nelson, Meghan Nelson, Danielle Nelson, Conrad Nelson and Lexie Nelson; 10 great-grandchildren; Javan, Elias, Asa, and Analise Hemwsorth, Ava and Allie Ward, Uriah and Ari Nelson, Isabelle Nelson, and Steven Cootes,III; six sisters, Rose Lambert, Emma Jackson, Shirley Warner, Lucille Thomsen, Mable Nelson, and Edith Thomsen; and one brother, Emil Nelson. John was preceded in death by his parents, Christian and Tessie; granddaughter, Katrina Rae Nelson; great-granddaughter, Sadie Lorraine Cootes; three brothers; and four sisters.

In lieu of flowers, John wished donations be made to St. Francis Capital Campaign or VFW, Post 1647 in Brainerd.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd with Fr. Tony Wroblewski officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather Monday evening from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Parish Prayers and a Rosary will begin at 6:45 PM. There will also be a visit one hour prior to Mass at the church in Tuesday. Military Honors by the American Legion and VFW Posts of Brainerd. Interment at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.