Wallace Eugene Nelson

Wallace Eugene "Wally" Nelson age 84, of Madelia, MN died on May 12, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN.

A Celebration of Wally's life will be held at Madelia Lanes, on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 1:00 pm with a prayer service at 1:00 pm.

A private interment will be at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Wallace Eugene "Wally" Nelson was born on December 19, 1940 to Walter and Florence (Johnson) Nelson.  He grew up in Grogan and graduated from Saint James High School.  On June 5, 1964 he married Mary Ann Schull.  They lived in Grogan and had 3 children.  He was a very hard working man.  Wally had a long career at Sherr Tomico and Tony Downs Foods in St. James.  He always had a passion for bowling and in 1987 he purchased Blackhawk Lanes and moved to Madelia.  Wally loved interacting with his customers and always had a joke or a story to tell.  He later purchased the bowling alley in Truman, the Drive Inn in Madelia and also purchased the Triangle in Madelia.  In 2009 his son purchased and took over the now Madelia Lanes and Wally focused his energy on the Triangle.  Wally was either at the grill or at the counter telling jokes or stories.  He also had his opinions and wasn't afraid to share them!

After many years of hard work, it finally caught up with him.  Wally's health declined and forced him to stay home, relax, watch TV and eat his Butterscotch Buttons that became his new passion.  He loved watching old movies, the Twins, Vikings and FOX news.  After a fall, he was moved to Laurel's Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato where he spent the remainder of his life.

Wally passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025.  He was telling jokes to the nurses and family to the end.

Wally is survived by his children, Lori Hallgren of Wells, Richard Nelson (Dawn Sandmeyer) of Madelia, Tim Nelson (Kathy Knudtson) of Fairmont; 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; Mary Nelson; sisters, Donna, Helen, Violet; granddaughter, Nicole and several aunts, uncles, and in-laws.