Monday, January 16, 2017 5:59 pm
Richard Nelson, 90, of Decorah, died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Services were at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean – Carlson officiating. Casket bearers were Kevin Nelson, Richard Olson, Matthew Olson, Darrick Olson, Mitchell Laures, Kyle Nelson, Logan Nelson, Justin Smock and Ross Blanchard. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.
Susan Nelson and Clark Goltz sang “In This Room.” Other music played during the service included “How Great Thou Art” (Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill CD); “You Raise Me Up” (Josh Groban CD), “The Lord’s Prayer ” (CD music) and “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong CD). “Go Rest High on The Mountain” by Vince Gill was played while walking out to grave site; and “Blueberry Hill” by Fat Domino was played after the committal, while family and friends were walking back to the church. Interment was at Canoe Ridge Cemetery, Decorah.
Richard LeRoy Nelson was born in Guttenberg Feb. 21, 1926, the son of Arthur and Emma (Blum) Bahls. He lived in a stone house near the Mississippi River, which led to his love of fishing, a lifelong joy. Richard was united in marriage to Geneva Klepper Feb. 10, 1952, in Ludlow. They were the parents of four children: Susan, Raymond, Roger and Janeen, whom he cherished with all his heart. Together they farmed near the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church and had a 60-year marriage which he was very proud of. He worked hard every day using his large, strong hands of love. Richard was kind, loving, and had a giving spirit. He was a humorous fellow who loved the Green Bay Packers. He even had two bets to collect on for the last Packer game that was won. Richard loved going camping and fishing as much as time would allow. He spent many years on the Mississippi River finding the best spots to cast his line, well into his 90th year of life. He will be missed. Richard was a member of the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church, where he was an active member and enjoyed making rosettes for Nordic Fest.
Richard is survived by his four children: Susan (Don) Nelson, Decorah; Ray Nelson, Decorah; Roger (Janine) Nelson, Decorah; and Janeen Nelson (Julio Guzman), Decorah; grandchildren: Richard (Anna) Olson, Matthew (Karla) Olson, Jeanette (Mitch) Laures, Deanna (Justin) Smock, Teri Olson, Darrick Olson, Shirlee (Chris) Taylor, Kevin (Lisa) Nelson, Justin Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Logan Nelson, Sarah (Ross) Blanchard, Landa Ruen (Jared Moore), Breanna Ruen (Lindberg Chambliss), Laura Ruen (Corey Kimball); great-grandchildren: Tristan, Mia, Miles, Cade, Lillian, Mara, Sydney, Carson, Ely, Owen, Isaac, Morgan, Noah, Cyrek, Tynan and Peyton; one sister, Martha (Vernon) Swenson, Clifton, Texas; two brothers, Walter Nelson, West Union and Bill (Dee) Johnson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Richards’ foster siblings: Corrine Troendle, Frank Sivesind and Gene Sivesind, all of Waukon; Marian Olson, Eau Claire, Wis.; Ann Kvam, Goose Creek, S.C.; and Alice Terbeest, Canton, Minn.; one brother-in-law, Eugene Wilde, Mason City; three sisters-in-law: Judy Reckward, Decorah, Bernita Holthaus, Dakota City and Carol Knudson, Mobile, Ala.; along with several nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Emma (Blum) Bahls; his step-mother, Alma; Richard’s wife, Geneva Nelson, Oct. 8, 2012; sister, Esther Wilde; brother, Paul Knudson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Inez (Goeke) Klepper; foster parents, John (Olive) Sivesind; three brothers-in-law: Jim Reckward, Leo Holthaus and Vernon Swenson; his foster brother, Gordon Sivesind and two sons-in-law, Bill Kocian and Dennis Ruen.
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