July 9, 1931 – Aug. 5, 2021
Ernest A. Nelson, 90, of Sweet Home died Aug. 5, 2021.
He was born July 9, 1931, in Walsh County, North Dakota to Charlie and Hannah (Nelson) Nelson.
Mr. Nelson joined the United States Army and served from 1952 to 1954. He served in Korea and received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Korean Service Medal, W/2 Bronze Campaign Stars, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Mr. Nelson lived in North Dakota before moving to Mentor, Minn., finally moving to Oregon with his family in 1968.
At the age of 12 (1943), he worked in potato fields and for a sugar company before joining the Army. He was a farmer in North Dakota, where he raised his own cattle.
When he moved to Oregon, he worked for Willamette Industries’ Sweet Home division before retiring after 20 years.
Mr. Nelson enjoyed splitting wood, playing pool, playing cards, raising pigs and chickens. He loved being with his family.
Mr. Nelson is survived by his daughters, Connie (Will) Moyer of Sweet Home, Bonnie (David) Mason of Estacada, Rhonda (Rich) Nelson of Terrebonne, and Wanda (Blake) Nelson of Coos Bay; sons, Eugene Nelson, Vern (Linda) Nelson, all of Sweet Home; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and caregivers Chelsie, Molly, Stephanie and Corrinne.
He was preceded in death by his wife June Nelson in 2016; son, Wayne Nelson, in 2017; son-in-law Lance Mason in 2015; and father and mother.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
Final burial will follow services at Gilliland Cemetery.
Lunch at Sweet Home VETS Club will follow burial.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.