Warren Nelson
With family at his side, Warren “Pat” Nelson, 90, passed away May 4, 2021, at the Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples, under the compassionate care of Lakewood Hospice.
The private graveside service for Warren “Pat” Nelson of Staples, will be held May 14, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley, near Little Falls where he will be buried next to his wife. Due to COVID the family is unable to accept flowers at this private outdoor service.
Warren was born to Albert and Agnes (Palm) Nelson on March 17, 1931, in Princeton. He graduated from high school in St. Francis. He joined the U.S. Air Force in April 1951 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1955. On a blind date, Warren met Carolyn Edith Cates and they were united in marriage on July 1, 1955, at the Hope Presbyterian Church in Richfield. Warren and Carolyn operated a dairy farm in St. Francis, where they raised their four daughters, two foster daughters and grieved the loss of their infant son. In 1971, Staples became their home where they farmed for many years and became very active members of the Staples Alliance Church.
Warren and Carolyn retired from farming in 1997 and moved to a cozy home on their daughter’s property in Motley. Due to declining health they moved to The Pines in Staples in 2012, where they enjoyed the company of many special people.
Over the years, Warren belonged to the agricultural committee and served his church as a very active board member and trustee. His interests included metal detecting, gardening, restoring vintage toys and deer hunting. He was also an avid fur trapper for over 72 years which included many fond memories of beaver trapping for numerous counties.
Memories of Warren will be treasured by four daughters, Deb (Dave) Mennis of Benson, Kathy (Denny) Ulmer of Park Rapids, Lori (Ross) Miller of North Branch and Becky (Jay) Landis of Motley; two foster daughters, Lucille Ellefson Hanson and Lauretta Ellefson Curtin; 11 grandchildren Leah (Mennis) Montgomery, Emily (Mennis) Cummings, Sarah (Ulmer) Frieden, Anna Ulmer, Jason Miller, Darcy Miller, Zackery Weber, Ernest Weber, Amy (Miller) Waldvogel, Rachel (Landis) Aakre and Rebekah (Landis) Daly; 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Gerald Nelson; along with a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn (2015); parents; infant son, David; three brothers, Vernal, Morris and Ronald and four sisters, Margorie Ackerson, Dorothy Arthur, Marian Reed and Marvel Lange.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Mennis, Denny Ulmer, Ross Miller and Jay Landis
The family prefers memorials in Warren’s memory be directed to the Lakewood Health System Memory Care Unit, Staples for the care he and his family so greatly appreciated.
Arrangements by the Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Domian-Anderson Chapel, Bertha. (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com).
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