Robert Peter “Bob” Nelson, age 86 of rural Clear Lake, WI, died on Friday, November 12, 2010 at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, MN. Bob was born January 15, 1924 in Kenosha, WI to parents Peter Engvold Nelson and Julia Charlotte Skresvig. Bob moved with his family to the Woodville area where he attended country school. After school, Bob joined his father, and began his labor of love on the family farm. On August 27, 1945, Bob would be united in marriage to Laurel Hazel Gregerson. Together with his wife Laurel, Bob would raise seven children in the Clear Lake area, celebrate 65 years of marriage, and live a life that provides a legacy of love for three generations of the Nelson family.
Bob enjoyed the outdoors through deer hunting and fishing. Bob also enjoyed woodworking, gun collecting, and puttering in his shop at various projects. Bob also enjoyed reading, from following his favorite comic strips, such as Pogo and Li’l Abner, to Archie comic books, to his beloved Louis L’Amour western novels. Bob loved to entertain his kids and grandkids, and was lovingly known as “Grandpa Bob” to all of them, and many of their friends alike. Bob was a story-teller who would self-narrate to silent home movies and old cartoons. Bob could unfold a magnificent story, and ad-lib on his feet as the film would roll. This is one of many cherished memories he leaves with his loved ones.
Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Laurel; his children, Kathy (Dan) Mason of Kalispell MT, Jack (Mae) Nelson of El Paso TX, Wendy Hockbein of Saint Paul MN, Gary (Patty) Nelson of Clear Lake WI, Lynette (Gary) Hupfer of Cadott WI, and Ellen Nelson of Baldwin WI; twenty-two grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Dan Grohn of Elk Mound WI; sisters, Adwina Gregerson, and WandaVae (Frank) Waterman; brother, Jim (Elinor) Nelson; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and good friends. Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Margie Grohn; his son-in-law, Jeff Hockbein; his parents, Peter and Julia; his sister, Angela Nelson; and brother-in-law, Arlie Gregerson.
A Funeral Celebration of Life for Bob Nelson will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the American Legion Post 240, 410 Maple St., in Baldwin. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services, and also from 4:00-8:00PM on Tuesday evening at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin. Burial will take place in the Lone Pine Cemetery of Woodville, WI. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI. 715-684-3434