Earl Nelson

Earl Niels Nelson, 91, a resident of Breckenridge, Minnesota, died Tuesday, November 29, 2010, at St. Francis Home in Breckenridge.  He was born July 17, 1919, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of Morton and Esther Nelson. He graduated as Salutatorian from Gaylord High School in 1936. He later bought and trucked livestock in Gaylord for 23 years with his dad. On May 23, 1942 he married his beautiful bride, Muriel Boehlke. In 1959 Earl purchased Arlington Convalescent Home Inc., a 65 bed skilled nursing facility, and served as the administrator until 1965. From 1965 – 1970 he was employed as the administrator of Fostrian Court SNF in Flushing, Michigan. This was a new facility under construction, where Earl developed policies and programs for this 105 bed home. From 1970 – 1973 he was employed by the Senior Citizen Fund as the administrator at Harold and Grace Upjohn Community Nursing Home, a 125 bed facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Earl and Muriel traveled to Southeast Asia and around the U.S. from 1973 – 1974. He was then employed by Medicenter and Merit Corporation as Administrator of the Southfield, Michigan Medicenter, a 150 bed facility. In 1976 he was transferred to the Mobile, Alabama Medicenter, a 220 bed facility, where he also served as Administrator. In September of 1979 he retired and lived in Mobile, Alabama, and Cherokee Village, Arkansas, where he continued his love of carving wildlife and entered wildlife carving shows around the United States. Earl received over 65 ribbons and awards for his carving. He received the Best of Show in the New Orleans Wildlife Carving and Collections Show, one of the largest in the country. During his retirement years he also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Muriel, to all the 50 states as well as Canada and Mexico.  Earl was involved with various organizations dear to him, including: Cub Scout leader in Gaylord, PTA chairman, Gaylord City Councilman for eight years, several positions in the United Church of Christ, as well as very active in various churches in the communities where they lived, was a veteran of WWII, a Rotarian, Master Mason, Odd Fellow, and American Legion member.  He loved to read and spend time with his furry dog friends. He frequently talked about how proud he was of his family and he thought his wife was perfect. They worked together well, setting up his carving displays.  Survivors include his daughters, Elizabeth (Peter) Hoff of Breckenridge, MN, and Elaine (Don) Nelson of Roach, MO; four grandchildren: Kate (Bob) of Minneapolis, MN, Megan (Aaron) of Tioga, ND, Molly (David) of St. Paul, MN, and Nathan (Stephanie) of Fergus Falls, MN; and seven great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Jeremiah and Jordyn Olson, Caleb, Connor and Asher Nelson, and Ayla Hoff.  Preceding him in death were his wife, Muriel; son, John; sisters, Erma (Dillard) Murrell, and Dorothy (Paul) Williams; brothers-in-law Steve (Lorinda) Boehlke, and Gordon Stenzel; nephew, Perry Stenzel; two great-nephews, Jon and Robert Stenzel; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Leonard and Esther Boehlke. Graveside services will be held in the spring in Gaylord, Minnesota. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements.