Elmer Nelson, age 91, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends after a short battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Elmer was born in Rockford, Illinois on October 10, 1922 to Victor & Anna Nelson.
Elmer married the love of his life, Charlotte Hellem on Dec. 2, 1967 and they spent 44.5 years together, never spending a day apart, until her death in June of 2011. Elmer had two children that he had been estranged from for nearly 50 years from a previous marriage, Wanda (Steve) Ferrall & the late Michael Nelson. He never knew the reasons behind the separation and it saddens him until his very last day.
Elmer worked for Greenlee Textron for 42 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the WWII 91st Army Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge in 1944. He was a member of the Lyran Lodge, Svithiod Lodge, Greenlee Squared Circle & the Vasa Park Board, which he was an officer for both of them for many years. His favorite and most memorable moment was when he was the manager of the Greenlee Baseball Team in the Industrial Ball Club and they won the Best Fast Ball Team in 1965. After Elmer retired, he spent 7 years doing the summer grounds work for Northern Credit Union to keep himself busy. Elmer was an avid Cubs fan and listened to the games up to the very end of his days.
Elmer was welcomed into heaven by numerous family and friends including; both parents, grandparents, step-daughter (Betty Parks), son (Michael Nelson) 1 brother, 5 sisters, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Elmer is survived by his Grandson John (Laura) Stanton and his beautiful great-granddaughter Shynell, of Moreno Valley, CA. Special family members Joanne Blaser & family, Debbie Blaser & family, Dennis Blaser & Family, Ret. Col. Russell Quirici & Family, Vanessa (Koyna) Ives-MacCallum and son Kasey, Pete (Helen) Larsen, Dawn (Maynard) Moen. Thank you to OSF Hospice Nurse Jamie who was a blessing by making herself available to the family at all times of the day. Charlotte had sent two angels to watch over Elmer and keep him comfortable until the end. A special thank you to his very best friend Steve (Kristi) McCormick and Hanne (Greg) Pearson for helping him spend his last days at home with dignity.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford, IL with Great Nephew, Dennis Blaser officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in Fred C. Olson Chapel. Burial to be at the family plot in the Scandinavian Cemetery following services with a reflection gathering to follow, location to be announced. Elmer asked that in Lieu of flowers, that donations be made directly to the Women's Auxiliary at Tabor Lutheran Church, 2233 12th Avenue, Rockford.
Elmer married the love of his life, Charlotte Hellem on Dec. 2, 1967 and they spent 44.5 years together, never spending a day apart, until her death in June of 2011. Elmer had two children that he had been estranged from for nearly 50 years from a previous marriage, Wanda (Steve) Ferrall & the late Michael Nelson. He never knew the reasons behind the separation and it saddens him until his very last day.
Elmer worked for Greenlee Textron for 42 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the WWII 91st Army Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge in 1944. He was a member of the Lyran Lodge, Svithiod Lodge, Greenlee Squared Circle & the Vasa Park Board, which he was an officer for both of them for many years. His favorite and most memorable moment was when he was the manager of the Greenlee Baseball Team in the Industrial Ball Club and they won the Best Fast Ball Team in 1965. After Elmer retired, he spent 7 years doing the summer grounds work for Northern Credit Union to keep himself busy. Elmer was an avid Cubs fan and listened to the games up to the very end of his days.
Elmer was welcomed into heaven by numerous family and friends including; both parents, grandparents, step-daughter (Betty Parks), son (Michael Nelson) 1 brother, 5 sisters, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Elmer is survived by his Grandson John (Laura) Stanton and his beautiful great-granddaughter Shynell, of Moreno Valley, CA. Special family members Joanne Blaser & family, Debbie Blaser & family, Dennis Blaser & Family, Ret. Col. Russell Quirici & Family, Vanessa (Koyna) Ives-MacCallum and son Kasey, Pete (Helen) Larsen, Dawn (Maynard) Moen. Thank you to OSF Hospice Nurse Jamie who was a blessing by making herself available to the family at all times of the day. Charlotte had sent two angels to watch over Elmer and keep him comfortable until the end. A special thank you to his very best friend Steve (Kristi) McCormick and Hanne (Greg) Pearson for helping him spend his last days at home with dignity.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford, IL with Great Nephew, Dennis Blaser officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in Fred C. Olson Chapel. Burial to be at the family plot in the Scandinavian Cemetery following services with a reflection gathering to follow, location to be announced. Elmer asked that in Lieu of flowers, that donations be made directly to the Women's Auxiliary at Tabor Lutheran Church, 2233 12th Avenue, Rockford.
Elmer Nelson, age 91, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends after a short battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Elmer was born in Rockford, Illinois on October 10, 1922 to Victor & Anna Nelson.
Elmer married the love of his life, Charlotte Hellem on Dec. 2, 1967 and they spent 44.5 years together, never spending a day apart, until her death in June of 2011. Elmer had two children that he had been estranged from for nearly 50 years from a previous marriage, Wanda (Steve) Ferrall & the late Michael Nelson. He never knew the reasons behind the separation and it saddens him until his very last day.
Elmer worked for Greenlee Textron for 42 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the WWII 91st Army Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge in 1944. He was a member of the Lyran Lodge, Svithiod Lodge, Greenlee Squared Circle & the Vasa Park Board, which he was an officer for both of them for many years. His favorite and most memorable moment was when he was the manager of the Greenlee Baseball Team in the Industrial Ball Club and they won the Best Fast Ball Team in 1965. After Elmer retired, he spent 7 years doing the summer grounds work for Northern Credit Union to keep himself busy. Elmer was an avid Cubs fan and listened to the games up to the very end of his days.
Elmer was welcomed into heaven by numerous family and friends including; both parents, grandparents, step-daughter (Betty Parks), son (Michael Nelson) 1 brother, 5 sisters, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Elmer is survived by his Grandson John (Laura) Stanton and his beautiful great-granddaughter Shynell, of Moreno Valley, CA. Special family members Joanne Blaser & family, Debbie Blaser & family, Dennis Blaser & Family, Ret. Col. Russell Quirici & Family, Vanessa (Koyna) Ives-MacCallum and son Kasey, Pete (Helen) Larsen, Dawn (Maynard) Moen. Thank you to OSF Hospice Nurse Jamie who was a blessing by making herself available to the family at all times of the day. Charlotte had sent two angels to watch over Elmer and keep him comfortable until the end. A special thank you to his very best friend Steve (Kristi) McCormick and Hanne (Greg) Pearson for helping him spend his last days at home with dignity.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford, IL with Great Nephew, Dennis Blaser officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in Fred C. Olson Chapel. Burial to be at the family plot in the Scandinavian Cemetery following services with a reflection gathering to follow, location to be announced. Elmer asked that in Lieu of flowers, that donations be made directly to the Women's Auxiliary at Tabor Lutheran Church, 2233 12th Avenue, Rockford.
Elmer married the love of his life, Charlotte Hellem on Dec. 2, 1967 and they spent 44.5 years together, never spending a day apart, until her death in June of 2011. Elmer had two children that he had been estranged from for nearly 50 years from a previous marriage, Wanda (Steve) Ferrall & the late Michael Nelson. He never knew the reasons behind the separation and it saddens him until his very last day.
Elmer worked for Greenlee Textron for 42 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the WWII 91st Army Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge in 1944. He was a member of the Lyran Lodge, Svithiod Lodge, Greenlee Squared Circle & the Vasa Park Board, which he was an officer for both of them for many years. His favorite and most memorable moment was when he was the manager of the Greenlee Baseball Team in the Industrial Ball Club and they won the Best Fast Ball Team in 1965. After Elmer retired, he spent 7 years doing the summer grounds work for Northern Credit Union to keep himself busy. Elmer was an avid Cubs fan and listened to the games up to the very end of his days.
Elmer was welcomed into heaven by numerous family and friends including; both parents, grandparents, step-daughter (Betty Parks), son (Michael Nelson) 1 brother, 5 sisters, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Elmer is survived by his Grandson John (Laura) Stanton and his beautiful great-granddaughter Shynell, of Moreno Valley, CA. Special family members Joanne Blaser & family, Debbie Blaser & family, Dennis Blaser & Family, Ret. Col. Russell Quirici & Family, Vanessa (Koyna) Ives-MacCallum and son Kasey, Pete (Helen) Larsen, Dawn (Maynard) Moen. Thank you to OSF Hospice Nurse Jamie who was a blessing by making herself available to the family at all times of the day. Charlotte had sent two angels to watch over Elmer and keep him comfortable until the end. A special thank you to his very best friend Steve (Kristi) McCormick and Hanne (Greg) Pearson for helping him spend his last days at home with dignity.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford, IL with Great Nephew, Dennis Blaser officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in Fred C. Olson Chapel. Burial to be at the family plot in the Scandinavian Cemetery following services with a reflection gathering to follow, location to be announced. Elmer asked that in Lieu of flowers, that donations be made directly to the Women's Auxiliary at Tabor Lutheran Church, 2233 12th Avenue, Rockford.
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