Leland D. Nelson “Lee” passed away Sunday, Jan. 14. His family was by his side throughout his last remaining days and he peacefully left at 10:16 p.m. He was born to Lewis and Mabel Nelson on Sept 13, 1934, in Taylor, Wis. and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Westby, Wis. High School in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving four years during the Korean War with a two-year tour of duty near Tokyo, Japan. Upon discharge he attended the University of Minnesota under the GI bill and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He married Deanna J. Peterson in February 1960. He spent 25 years employed by Mobil Chemical Co. in the Plastics Division in Sales and Marketing. In 1987 he started his own company – Midwest Packaging Corp and sold the business in 1997 to retire.
As a long time member of Luther Memorial Church in River Falls he served on various boards and positions. Lee also served many years in the River Falls Lions Club and American Legion Post 121 of River Falls. Lee enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and musical activities. As a family they enjoyed travelling, camping, hunting, and fishing. Lee also loved to golf with his family and friends. Lee and Dee loved living in the country on their 40 acres of mostly woods. In 2008 they moved into town in River Falls. He loved spending time with friends either at the coffee club in the mornings or playing cards at the Senior Center.
He is survived by his daughter Carolyn (Mike) Komel of Elburn, Ill.; sons Gary (Sarah) of Hudson, Wis., Rodger (Lonie) of Woodbury, Minn., Pastor Eric (Katie) of Lester Prairie, Minn. and Paul (Kami) of Crystal, Minn.; 12 grandchildren Casey, Sam, Joe Komel, Dani, Niki, Taylor, Spencer, Christopher, Alex, Zachary, Otti, and Sigurd and great grandchild Amari plus many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Raymond, Harold (Jackie), Mahlon (Verna), Eldon (Mardell) and sisters Alida and Mildred as well as five half-brothers and sisters, and other relations and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Luther Memorial Church in River Falls or an organization of your choosing. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services. The funeral will be immediate family only and will be held over Memorial Day weekend. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Honor Guard of Post 121.
