Dennis Wilbur Nelson

Dennis Wilbur Nelson, age 77, of Winnebago, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN.  There will be a Private Family Service at Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Dennis (Denny) Wilbur Nelson, son of Wilbur Elvin Nelson and Esther Carrie Koustrup, was born on August 30, 1940 in Tyler, MN.  He graduated from Tyler High School in 1958 and joined the United States Navy in May of 1961.  He traveled extensively throughout the Fareast before performing many operations during the Viet Nam War.  In 1965, Dennis was honorably discharged and went to work for Stokely Van Camp in Winnebago, MN where he met his future wife, Janet Hart.    They were married on June 10, 1967 and moved to New Hope, MN where he worked as an electrician and Janet taught school. In 1971, the couple moved with their infant son, Timothy, to Janet’s ancestral home on the north side of Bass Lake.  There they began farming and their son, Robert, was born the following year.  Denny farmed his entire life and retired in 2004.   Throughout his life, Denny enjoyed travelling, photography, lapidary, coin collecting and woodworking.  He served for many years as a township Supervisor, American Legion Commander and was an active member of the Bass Lake Community Church. For the last several years Denny was a resident of the Luverne Veterans Home. Dennis is survived by his wife, Janet (Hart) Nelson of Bass Lake; son Tim (Mona) Nelson of Albert Lea, MN; son, Rob (Lori) Nelson of Winnebago, MN; grandchildren, Isabella, Elisabeth, Alexandra and Molly Nelson; younger sister, Karen Miles of Minneota, MN and several nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Earl Jacobson; and his older brother, James Nelson of Rapid City, SD. Dennis's Memorial Folder