Marvin Nelson

Marvin Erland Nelson, 88, of Hastings, Nebraska, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at Mary Lanning Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born January 29, 1921 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Arthur Nels and Hazel Rose (Olsen) Nelson, both of whom were children of Swedish immigrants. Raised on a ranch in the sandhills near Brady, Nebraska, Marv graduated in 1938 from Brady High School, where he participated in basketball, track, drama, orchestra and mixed chorus. After high school he worked at Platte Valley Public Power in North Platte, Elm Creek, and Hastings.

On October 28, 1942 he married Faith C. Morrison in Hastings. They were married for 66 years, until her death in the fall of 2008.

During WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, attending boot camp in Chicago, followed by electrical training in Detroit. As part of the upper 10% of the class in Detroit, Marv attended Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago where he completed studies in electrical engineering. After several months at San Diego's North Island, he served as Aviation Electrician's Mate with a rank of First Class Petty Officer aboard the U.S.S. Wake Island, an escort carrier, until it was struck by a kamikaze in the battle of Okinawa.

After the war Marv returned to Hastings, where he worked for Morris Appliance and Standard Electric. In 1950, he founded Nelson Electric Company, which he owned and operated for 53 years until his retirement in 2003.

Marv was an active member of Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene for over 60 years, serving as a member of the choir and the church board.

Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, brothers Calvin and Milan, and sister, June.

Marvin is survived by three children, Dr. Randall Nelson and wife Carolyn of San Jose, California, Stephanie Allen and husband T.R. of Olathe, Kansas, and Brad Nelson and wife Paula of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Jessi Davis and husband Joe of Gardner, Kansas, and Nicole Nelson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, two great grandchildren, Grace and Gage Davis, nephews Stephen Steely and Dr. John Steely (both formerly of Hastings), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27 at Lakeside Community Church with Rev. David L. Speicher officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation will be Sunday, April 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home, and Monday, April 27, one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene.