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Ronald Keith Nelson, 76, died May 23, 2015 at Woodbury Health Care Center, in Woodbury, MN. He lived the past 16 months at the Woodbury Health Care Center and resided in Lakeland, Minnesota for most of his life.

He was born November 6, 1938 in Osceola, WI to C. Emil and Signe (Alexander) Nelson of Shafer, Minnesota and attended elementary and high school in Osceola, Wisconsin. He graduated in 1956. Ron won numerous awards in 4-H activities and was active in the Osceola FFA. He worked as a machinist and auctioneer in Wisconsin. In 1961 Ronald joined the Air Force National Guard, and he also worked as a civilian on government planes.

He retired in 1990 after a medical discharge. In his later years he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

Ronald enjoyed bowling and participated in many national competitions through the Air Force National Guard.  He also sponsored his own bowling team, Ronnie’s Auctioneer Service. In his early life he snowmobiled, skied, boated, and liked fishing.  He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, he attended auctions, restored antique tractors, and had an extensive toy tractor collection. Ron was known for his dry sense of humor and outgoing personality.   Ron never married.  
He is survived by his brother, Roderick Nelson and wife Pamela of Chatfield, Minnesota; nephew Tyler and his wife Mary Beth and great-niece Charlotte May of Rochester, Minnesota, and niece Lindsey of Chatfield, MN.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and in 2006 by his brother Joyval.

Visitation Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 5- 7 pm at Chisago Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church in Center City, MN. Funeral Services  at the church at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2015, with burial at Hillside Cemetery.   

Arrangements by Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.  Condolences may be left online at www.grand strandfh.com

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