Leo ‘Buzz’ Nelson, 90, of Hutchinson

Leo “Buzz” Nelson, 90, of Hutchinson, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.

 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Feb. 17, at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson with the Rev. Jerry Meidl officiating. Bev Wangerin was the organist and Lucy Newcomb was the song leader. Soloist Brian Brosz sang “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and “The Walk.” Musical selections were “Go Now in Peace” and “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” Kyle Kruchten was the eulogist.

Honorary casket bearers were Larry Schuette, Rick Mages, Doug Renkes, Gary Rippentrop, Kenny Nelson, Neil Berger, Tom Helland, Curt Bradford, Mike Wangerin, Brady Kruchten, Kyle Kruchten, Sabrina Kruchten, Jeff Sell, Harry Allard, Jack Cavanaugh, Jon Schwichenberg, Miles Nelson, Tom Trevis, Jon Gelschus, Walt Furgerson, Duane Gilleland and Doug Retthke.

 

Casket bearers were his grandchildren, Marty Nelson, Michael Nelson, Jeff Nelson, Eric Nelson, Stephanie Nelson Winter and Joe Nelson.

Military honors were by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.

 

Interment was in the church cemetery.

 

Leo “Buzz” Nelson was born March 10, 1925, in Aldrich, the son of Albert and Leona (Gibbs) Nelson. He was baptized as an infant in the Congressional Church. He received his education in the Aldrich area.

 

On June 30, 1943, Mr. Nelson entered the military during World War II. He served in the Philippines, spending 92 days in a foxhole. He was on a ship to Japan in 1945 when the war ended. He was discharged on Jan. 22, 1946, having earned the Bronze Star for Philippine Liberating, the Bronze star for distinguished unit in the Asiatic Pacific, and the good conduct medal. He was proud of his military service and attended many Army reunions over the years. Upon returning home, Mr. Nelson held many jobs around Aldrich.

 

On May 8, 1948, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Harriette Sebasky in Rice. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Marty, Steve and Mary. Following their marriage, the couple resided in Perham, Verndale and, in 1962, the family moved to Buffalo Lake to work with his brother, Arvid, at the elevators. The Nelsons shared 55 years of marriage before Mrs. Nelson’s death on June 15, 2003.

 

In 1973, Mr. Nelson and his son, Marty, started Form-A-Feed, Inc., with his son, Steve, joining them after the service. Both sons remain active in the business, so did many relatives. Mr. Nelson retired in 1980, spending winters in Apopka, Florida. He lived on Lake Allie in the summer months, where he and others started the Oakdale Golf Course in 1965. Even though he spent many hours golfing, hunting and fishing, he always kept up with “the boys” and the business.

 

After his wife died in 2003, Mr. Nelson married DeEtta McLain on Nov. 25, 2005, in Scottsdale, Arizona. They resided in Hutchinson and spent the winters in Florida and Rio Verde, Arizona, for 10 years.

 

Mr. Nelson attended St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Apopka, Florida, and the American Legion and VFW.

 

When he needed assistance with his daily care, he became a resident of Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson on Jan. 5, 2015.

 

He is survived by his wife, DeEtta Nelson of Hutchinson; children, Marty Nelson (Jodi) of St. Cloud, Steve (Louise) Nelson of Excelsior and Mary Nelson of Minnetonka; stepson, Craig (Kim) McLain of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Marty Nelson, Michael Nelson, Jeff (Rachael) Nelson, Eric (Nicole) Nelson, Stephanie (Chad) Nelson Winter and Joe Nelson; step-grandchildren, Ali (Jeremy), Sami and Andrew, Kyle, Brady and Sabrina Kruchten; 11 great-grandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; brother Larry (Romelle) Nelson of Perham; sisters, Rita (Phillip) Stone of Staple and Ardy Schmidt of Aldrich; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Leona Nelson; first wife, Harriette Nelson; sister, Rayma Thorn; and brothers, Darrell “Tuffy” Nelson, Arvid Nelson and William Nelson.

 

Arrangements were with the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.