Gary Nelson

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Gary J. Nelson, 70, of Austin, formerly of Lyle, died of a heart attack Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. 
He was born Jan. 29, 1940 to Nordahl and Lenore (Olson) Nelson in Nevada Township, Mower County, Minn. Baptized and confirmed at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church, he grew up in rural Lyle where he graduated from high school in 1957. He received his welding degree at Austin Vocational School and went to work for Oliver Corporation in Charles City, Iowa. He served in the Army for two years as an aircraft mechanic. After an honorable discharge, Gary moved back to Lyle in 1965. He married Norma Christianson on June 25, 1966 at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. He continued to work in Charles City while farming as well as working at the Austin Fire Department for one and a half years. He retired from farming in 2000. He ushered at Six Mile Grove and later at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin. He was also a member of Lyle Lions, Lyle Economic Development Authority (EDA), treasurer for the Lyle Fourth of July committee, a longtime member of Lyle American Legion and a volunteer for the Lyle Cancer Telethon, collecting donations from businesses. 
He enjoyed baseball games, traveling to Branson, Mo. in his Trans Am; and he was a great WHIST player.
Survivors include his wife, Norma of Lyle; children, Laura Nelson of Lyle, Nels Nelson of Rochester, Mary (Doug) Sams of Orono; two grandchildren, Maggie and Jack; sisters, Eula Reshetar of Austin, Charlotte Feltz of Osage, Iowa, Carol (Robert) Kraushaar of Austin; brother, Chester (Barbara) Nelson of rural Lyle; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leland and Norman; sister, Eileen.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Glenn Monson officiating. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 105. 
Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is in charge of arrangements. 
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

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