Gordon died on Monday, October 10, 2022. He was born January 31, 1935 in Osceola, WI.

Gordon was the son of Fred and Luella (Hexum) Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed at West Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Osceola. He attended Meadowview Grade School and graduated from Osceola High School with the class of 1953. After graduation, Gordon volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and entered during the Korean Conflict. Gordon served from 1953 through 1955 and completed basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was trained in IBM record keeping, and served in the states and Japan where he kept records of all U.S. Army personnel serving in the Far East Theatre.

In June of 1956 Gordon married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Audrey Ekstrand. Gordon graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, with a B.S. degree in 1960. He taught high school math for three years in Washburn, WI, before taking over as the 3rd generation owner of the Horse Creek Store in 1963. He and Audrey successfully operated the store until they sold the business and retired in 1997. Gordon had an easy smile, a charismatic personality, and a knack for telling jokes. Gordon enjoyed his 35 years in the store, and thought of the people across the counter more as friends than customers.

After retirement, Gordon and Audrey moved to rural Dresser. They enjoyed their country home, traveling the U.S., Mexico, the Scandinavian countries, and other destinations throughout Europe. Gordon enjoyed history, hunting, reading and classic cars.

Gordon was a lifetime member of West Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities and was a founding member of the Good Enough Construction Company. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Luella Nelson; brothers Larry Nelson, John Nelson, and Stuart Nelson, brother-in-law Jim Moeller, sister-in-law Ruth Nelson, and brother-in-law Roger Ekstrand.

Left to morn are his wife of 66 years, Audrey; children Lori Robinson, Susan (Jim) Hentges, Todd (Cindy) Nelson; grandchildren Erica (Matt) Forsman, Paul Hentges, Katelyn Hentges, Rachel Nelson, Alexa Hentges, Jack Nelson; great-grandchildren Olivia and Henry Forsman; sister Diane Moeller; sisters-in-law Mary Nelson, Marilyn Nelson and Darlene Ekstrand; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Memorials preferred to West Immanuel Lutheran Church, Osceola, WI.

Last Update: Oct 12, 2022 4:22 am CDT