Earl L. Nelson

Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at his home with his family present at his side. Earl was born in Hendricks, Minn. on Nov. 17, 1918 to the late Arnold and Amanda (Fjerstad) Nelson. He married the sweetheart of his dreams, Frieda E. Gorte on June 29, 1940 in Saginaw, where she predeceased him on June 6, 1984. He had served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, aboard the USS Torrance in the Asiatic Pacific Theatres. Prior to his retirement, Earl was employed by G.M. Plant 2 for 38 years. He was a charter member of Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, having served on various boards and committees. His favorite things to do were to play with and feed cookies to his great-grandchildren, also fishing, hunting and most of all was golfing in the winters in Arizona with his brother, Arnold, before his passing, and with all his wonderful friends; Reggie and Ed Johnson of N.D., Roma Rawlins of S.D. Another thing he enjoyed was getting together each year with his USS Torrance Navy buddies. Surviving are his two loving daughters, Karen (Ronald) Seiferlein, Alger, Mich.; Barbara (James) Miller, Traverse City, Mich.; three grandchildren, Pamela (Jason) Wood, Clio; Kimberly (Lance) Fritz, Peoria, Az; Timothy Seiferlein; seven great-grandchildren that called him Papa Earl; Katlyn, Mollie, Cassie and Jacob of Clio, Mich; Laynee Rose, Ryan, Evan of Peoria, Az; also survived by his two beloved sisters, Arlene Pedersen, Portland, Oregon and Beverly Shorthouse, Vancouver, Wash; and many beloved nieces and nephews in Oregon, Arizona, Washington, Michigan and Florida. He also is survived by his dear lady friend, Norma Romaine, and her family of Saginaw. Funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, 5051 McCarty Rd. The Rev. Timothy Kolb will officiate with a private family committal at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, with a military honor guard under the auspices of American Legion Post #439. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the Wakeman Funeral Home, Inc., 1218 N. Michigan Ave. on Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., then at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church or VNA Hospice, Partners in Caring. Memories and sympathies may be shared with the family online at WakemanFuneralHome.com

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Earl L. Nelson

November 17, 1918 - September 29, 2009