Ronald Dean Nelson

Ronald D. Nelson age 79 of Tracy, MN died Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy. Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery, with a luncheon served immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Ronald Dean Nelson was born June 25, 1933 to Arnold and Evelyn (Karl) Nelson on a farm south of Garvin, MN, Murray County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Country School District #101 and then to Slayton Public Schools. He then worked for his uncle on his farm for about six years. On February 1, 1953 Ron married Dorrene D. Hanson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN. In June of 1953 Ron entered into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War until his Honorable Discharge on May 16, 1955, with the rank of Corporal. He returned to Tracy and he worked for Minngas for about five years. Ron then went to work for T&R Electric in Colman, SD in sales and as a truck driver for twelve years, before returning to Tracy for a short time, driving truck for Amiret Grain for five years. He then returned to live in Colman and drove truck for Ross Service of Colman in 1984 until he retired from driving while at Ross Services in 1995. In his retirement Ron still drove some truck for Dakota Metal Recovery of Flandreau, SD and Landis Seeds of Colman, SD until 2003. Recently he moved back to Tracy. Ron was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, Tracy American Legion, and the Tracy VFW. He was also a charter member of the Tracy Eagles Club, Aerie 3918, formed in 1980. He served the Eagles club as manager and in many officer positions, including President throughout the years. He was currently the past-president of the 6th District of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ron enjoyed many hobbies through the years, archery, camping, playing pool, visiting the local casinos, playing cards and taking in Country Western concerts. On March 1, 2013 Ron became a resident of Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, where he died, surrounded by his loving family, on April 9, 2013 at the age of 79. Ron is survived by his daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” (Dan) Burt of Colman, SD; son-in-law, Richard Stefanick of Tracy, MN; four grandchildren, Chad (Shelly) Rykhus of Marshall, MN, Bobbie Jo (special friend, Mike Pauling) Stefanick-Anderson, Mike (Jessica) Rykhus of Sioux Falls, SD, and Stacy (fiancé, Adam Oeltjenbruns) Stefanick of Tracy, MN; fifteen great grandchildren; three step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Milan “Mike” (Nancy) Nelson of Cape Coral, FL and Larry (Deanna) Nelson of Sparks, NV; nieces, nephews and friends. His parents, wife, Dorrene, son Perry Nelson, daughter, Vonnie Stefanick and sister, Wanda (Marvin) Nestrude preceded him in death.