Harold Edwin Nelson, 84, passed away at his home surrounded by family in Danbury, Wisconsin on November 6, 2021.

He was born on June 7, 1937, at home in Clam Falls Township to parents Harry Nelson and Alice (Williams).

Harold attended Frederic High School. He initially worked as a local farm hand, and then was employed by Waldorf Paper Products in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1957. In 1960 Harold moved back to Wisconsin and began working for the Polk County Highway Department where he worked for 39 years until his retirement in 1999.

He met his wife Retta in 1955, and they were married on May 13, 1957, in Pine City, Minnesota. On January 1, 1960, Harold and Retta purchased the Clam Falls General Store. Together, Harold and Retta operated the General Store in Clam Falls for 17 years until they sold it in 1977. After selling the store, they remodeled a historic barn on 40 acres that sat on the banks of the Clam River in McKinley Township. It was in this beautiful home where they enjoyed raising their 5 sons. Upon retirement from the Highway Department in 1999, Harold and Retta moved to a new home on the Yellow River in Danbury, Wisconsin. Harold enjoyed gardening, lawn care, exercising by taking long walks, fishing and deer hunting with his boys. He especially enjoyed spending time with his 5 sons, 13 grandchildren and his 8 great grandchildren, in person and on Facetime.

He is survived by his wife Retta (Knight) Nelson; daughter-in-law Dawn (Ron) Nelson; four sons, Allen (Jennifer) Nelson and their five children, Corbin (Brie) Paulson, Heather (Jason) and their daughter Addie, Isabella, Spenser and Sam; Norman (Heidi) Nelson; Richard Nelson and his three children, Marissa (Zachary) Jesko and their son Olivander, Melana and her son Broden, and Brenton; Dennis (Paulette) Nelson and their five children, Devin (Alyssa) and their three children, Haley, Sophia and Caspian; Ashley (Philip) and their two children Parker and Hope; Coleman (Ayamani); Brooke, and Claire.

Additionally, he is survived by sisters Emma-Jean Hinrichs, Darlene Bellefeuille, Sharon (Leo) Themmes, and brothers Dale Nelson, Leslie (Nikki) Nelson, and sister-in-law Billie Nelson.

Harold was preceded in death by his son Ronald Nelson, parents Alice (Williams) and Harry Nelson, brothers Byron “Pete” (Ann) Nelson, Kenny Nelson, Gerald John Nelson infant; sisters Mary Ann (Adrian) Ulick, Ina May (Donald) Anderson, Lois Fay, Betty Lou (Charlie) Magnuson, Geraldine (Guy) McKenzie, Ida Jane Nelson stillborn; sister-in-law Lila Nelson; brother-in-law's Bob Hinrichs, and Kenny Bellefeuille.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their loving care they provided to Harold and Retta.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown.

Last Update: Nov 09, 2021 2:09 pm CST