William “Bill” Nelson

On March 8, 2024, William “Bill” Nelson age 93, passed away at Maplewood Manor. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2024, at the United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake.

William Emil Nelson was born April 6, 1930, to Emil and Emma Nelson in Elbow Lake, MN. He graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1947.

On April 13, 1963, Bill was united in marriage to Angeline Kamrud in Parkers Prairie, MN. They lived in Elbow Lake where they farmed and operated Nelson AERO-AG Service. Later they owned and operated Elbow Lake Sand & Gravel. Bill was the custodian at United Lutheran Church and had his own cleaning service in Elbow Lake.

Bill served on the Elbow Lake City Council for fourteen years, and on the Elbow Lake Municipal Airport Board for 25 years. While on the airport board, Nelson did everything from mowing the lawn, directing traffic at pancake breakfast and building the hangers. Bill was also instrumental in building the beach at Tipsinah Mound Campground by hauling in truckloads of sand. Bill and others started a hunter safety program in the area and he was an instructor. He worked on the Pomme de Terre Watershed Survey Project and made information available to farmers who were interested in irrigation. He was an officer in the Elbow Lake Lions Club, Region 4 Planning Committee, and Tipsinah Mounds Golf Club where he helped build the course. He was a chairman on the local chapter of the Red Cross, and was on the United Lutheran Church council.

He is survived by his daughter Naomi (Joe) Killeen; daughter-in-law Monica Nelson, and four grandchildren, Emil (Jana) and Garrett Nelson, Conner and Mackenzie Killeen; and sister Ardys Nelson.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Angie Nelson, son John Nelson, sisters Emily Skoglund, Helen Anderson, Myrtle Lindgren, Mary Ann Nelson, Rachel Reed, Beverly Nissala, brother Ron Nelson and his parents Emma and Emil Nelson. 

Arrangements are with Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake.