Hilding 'Bill' Nelson
Hilding "Bill" Nelson, 89, resident of Daggett Brook Township, rural Brainerd, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at his home, the same home in which he was born on Aug. 13, 1918, to Erick and Rosanna (Olson) Nelson.
He married the neighbor girl, Rita Rudolph, on May 8, 1948, and together they farmed and raised a family. He was the oldest resident in Daggett Brook Township who was born and raised in the township. Bill's and Rita's farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 2003. Bill will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and love of children.
Hilding 'Bill' Nelson
Survivors include sons, Leo, of Paynesville, Ohio, William (Susan), Waseca, Edward (Gayle), Hibbing, Duane (Mary), Winthrop, and Ronald (Barbara), Brainerd; daughters, Iris (Steve) Shively, Brainerd, Rosanne (Bruce) Caughey, Fort Ripley, and Gloria Nelson, Pierz; one sister, Lila Stuckmayer, Brainerd; and one brother, Clifford (RoseMarie) Nelson, Pillager; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Hilding was preceded in death by his wife, Rita; parents, Rosanna and Erick; brothers, Arthur, Warner, Willard, Leonard; and sisters, Ellen Hohman, Viola Collette, Mildred Nelson and Carol Leonard.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at St. Mathias Catholic Church in St. Mathias Township. Burial will be in Pine Tree Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd and the hour before services at the church on Friday. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday with a time of sharing to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Interfaith Caregivers or Heartland Hospice.
Arrangements by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.