September 22, 2016 at 12:58 p.m.
Brent Nelson
Brent Nelson
Buzz was born February 19, 1952 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Gordon and Helen Nelson. He grew up in Chisago City with his parents and brother, Byron (Butch) Nelson. Buzz attended gradeschool and high school at Chisago City Lakeside School. He was perhaps the only person ever to bring a live monkey to Lakeside, which he did when he brought his pet spider monkey Sammy for show-and-tell, to the delight of his classmates. Buzz attended his 1969-1970 senior year at the newly-consolidated Chi High. He went on to earn a degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where less skilled billiards and cribbage players regularly, if unwillingly, covered his meal expenses.
Shortly after finishing at the University, Buzz returned home to Chisago City and began working at United Electric, where he loyally worked for 38 years, and developed many strong and lasting friendships.
In January 1977, Buzz met the woman he would eventually join in marriage, Cynthia Anne Nelson (née Jirik). What proved to be a lifelong journey of love and friendship almost didn’t get off the ground, when Buzz became frightened at Cindy’s selection of the movie It’s Alive as a date destination (yikes) and concerned by the green bean casserole they shared for dinner afterward (Buzz did not eat green beans, ever). Luckily, Buzz and Cindy cleared these initial hurdles, fell deeply in love, became engaged in August of 1977, and married on February 4, 1978.
Buzz’s other lifelong loves were fishing and the outdoors. For over three decades, he took biannual fishing trips to Lake of the Woods with his fishing buddies, and biannual fishing trips with his family as well. He also enjoyed regular camping and hiking trips to the State Parks that dot the North Shore.
Buzz is survived by his wife Cynthia Nelson; his sons Matthew Nelson (Jennifer) and Timothy Nelson (Mary Smith); grandchildren Eleanor Nelson, Avery Nelson, and Evelyn Nelson; brother Byron Nelson (Kay); sisters-in-law Debbie Kohl (Paul), Betsy Johnson (Don), Vickie Copeland (Greg); brother-in-law Mark Jirik (Joanie); mother-in-law Mary Jirik (Howie Eckstrom); 12 nieces and nephews; and numerous family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Gordon Nelson, and his mother, Helen Nelson.
Buzz enriched our lives beyond words. He was quick with a joke and a smile, and full of love for his family and friends.
Visitation Wednesday, September 21, 2016, from 5-8 p.m. at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom. Memorial Service Thursday, September 22, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Grandstrand Funeral Home, with interment at Chisago Memorial Park and luncheon to follow at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City. Condolences may be left online at www.grandstrand fh.com
Comments:
Commenting has been disabled for this item.