Carl Nelson

Carl Fridolf Nelson was born April 4, 1921 in Watonwan Co., MN to parents Otto and Alfreda (Herman) Nelson. Carl grew up and attended the Beck School in rural Watonwan County. He joined the Army on July 21, 1942 serving in Europe and England before being honorably discharged January 10, 1946. He was married on May 27, 1944 to Esther Pankratz in Lebanon, PA while stationed in PA. Returning to Minnesota in 1946 the couple made their home in Butterfield and several area communities before settling in Montgomery where Carl worked for the State Highway Dept. for 30 years, retiring in 1985. The couple moved to St. James in 1998. Carl enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing his accordian and going to the annual threshing bee. Carl Nelson passed away on April 4, 2006 at Immanuel-St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato, he was 85 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter and son-in-law Donna and Ron Rich and grandson Andrew Rich. He is survived by his wife Esther Nelson of St. James, sister Elin (Harold) Johnson of Comfrey, grandchildren Jeff (Jodi) Rich of Sioux Falls, Jason (Mary) Rich of Owatonna, Jenni (Jason) Godfrey of Inver Grove Heights, great-grandchildren, Cory Rich, Rachel Rich, Kyle Rich and many nieces and nephews.