Robert E. Nelson, 76
Robert E. Nelson, 76, of Austin, died on Aug. 6, 2009, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn. after a long illness.
He was born May 19, 1933 in Austin, to Lloyd W. and Ella M. (Exelby) Nelson. Robert graduated from Austin High School in 1953. He was married to Barbara Lewis, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin in 1955; they later divorced. He was also married to Delores Grimley and Beatrice Nelson and later divorced. He had worked at several area businesses in the early years including the Austin Country Club and the Hormel Co. in sales. For most of his adult life he lived in the Minneapolis areas as a bartender and a meat salesman. He returned in 2000 to Austin, where he lived the rest of his life. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. This past year he was a resident of St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. He was a pro golf fan, Minnesota Twins fan and an avid Vikings fan.
Robert is survived by sons, James (Lori), Duluth Minn., David (Tony Berg), Oakland Calif. and Lloyd, Blaine, Minn.; daughters, Lori (Steve) Siege, Orange City, Iowa and Kris (James) Hemann, Chester, Iowa; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Diane Smith, Montana, Lynne (Mike) Boyer, Albert Lea, Minn.; Nancy (Brian) Clingman, Mike (Darcie) Bjorgo, Austin; aunts and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lorraine Price, Lois LaValley, Judy Bjorgo and brother, Kenneth “Shag” Nelson.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m.; Oakwood Cemetery with the Reverend Ted Colescott officiating. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary arranged his cremation.