Allan Nelson

Allan W. Nelson, age 80, of Litchfield, died at the Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, MN on Thursday, February 12, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield with Pastor Harvey Nelson and Minister Signe Gray officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Allan Wendell Nelson, the son of Nels T. and Anna O. (Martinson) Nelson, was born January 8, 1929 in Litchfield, Minnesota. He grew up and received his education in Litchfield, graduating from Litchfield High School in 1946. On June 29, 1952, he was united in marriage to Janice Peterson in Ringsted, Iowa. Allan worked at Thompson Yards Lumber Company in Litchfield, before moving to Armstrong, Iowa, and later to LuVerne, Iowa, where he was a manager. He returned to Litchfield, to manage Thompson Yards Lumber Company, which he purchased in 1956. He partnered with Charlie Anderson and Cavour Justus to create Ideal Lumber in Litchfield. He later bought his partners out and continued to own and operate Ideal Lumber, until retiring in 2003. Allan was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, where he served on several boards and committees. He was active in the Litchfield community, being a member of the Litchfield Masons, the Shriners, the Litchfield Fire Department and Litchfield Industries. He enjoyed sports and being outdoors hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He played golf and racquetball, and enjoyed watching football. Al especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Janice of Litchfield; children Brent (and Kim) Nelson of Litchfield, Brad Nelson of Litchfield and Blake (and Kris) Nelson of Eden Prairie; grandchildren Michaella, Paige, Meghan, Sam, and Joey; brother Lloyal (and Lois) Nelson of Litchfield; sister-in-law Mae Brynteson of Litchfield; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Nels and Anna; brothers Randly and Burton; and a sister Marcella (and Del) Anderson.