Keith Nelson, age 87 of Cottage Grove, formerly a native of Baldwin, died peacefully Thursday, January 14th at Southview Acres in West St. Paul.  Keith was born on April 13, 1928 on the family farmstead in Baldwin; the son of Oswald and Melba (Olson) Nelson. He attended Oak Grove Country School in Rush River Township prior to graduating from Baldwin High School. The Nelson farm was a century farm in rural Baldwin, where Keith learned the trade of farming from his dad and continued the family heritage, earning herdsman awards as well as being recognized in Successful Farming Magazine. In 1950, he was married to the former Beverly Jean Vought. To this union, seven children were born. This union would later dissolve in 1967. In 1970, he retired from farming and became employed for then Hymann Freight in Roseville, working in the loading/dock area. In 1975, he was married to Jordis Hoitomt. Together, they have lived in Cottage Grove for forty years. He would retire from Hymann in 1990 after 20 years of dedicated service.

Keith enjoyed keeping busy. His favorite pastime was playing cards, which he did daily with his wife Jordis or family/friends, and he took great pleasure in his morning coffee hour with the guys at McDonalds each day. He enjoyed fishing and taking trips around the country, as well as to Norway, with Jordis. He took great pride in his family heritage and was the family genealogist, spending countless hours researching his Norwegian family roots back to the 1700’s. He was also never afraid to tell you his political views, as he was a staunch DFL’r. Early in life, he was also an amateur boxer.

Keith will remain in the hearts of his children Marilyn (Dan) Stevens, Paul Nelson, Eric Nelson, Martha (Rick) Thompson, Mona Nelson, Connie (Mike) Shirkey, Donovan Lerch; grandchildren Karen (Herman) Chan, John Lecheler, Krista Gray, Greg (Amy) Thompson, Laura (Jesse) Myers; great grandchildren Michael Lecheler, Jadra Chan, Kienna Chan, Kaia Gray, Dylan Gray, Asher Gray, Ava Thompson; great great grandson Michael Lecheler, Jr.; sister Dona Franklin; step siblings Susan (Don) Meinburg, Helen Anderson; step brother-in-law Tom Spurrier; several nieces and nephews; and last but not least, his beloved dog, Prescott. 

Keith is preceded in death by his wife Jordis, sons John Nelson, Clifford Nelson; father Oswald Nelson, mother Melba Hanson, step-mother, Ann Palus, grandchildren Derrick John Lecheler, Michael Lee Lecheler, Danielle Susan Lecheler, Dylan Michael Nelson; brother Lynn (Doreen) Nelson; brother-in-law Paul Franklin; step sister Mary Ann Spurrier; and his former wife Beverly.

A memorial service for Keith will be 11AM, Friday, January 22 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home; 1010 Newton Street in Baldwin, Wisconsin. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Baldwin Cemetery. Memorials are preferred. 

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