Gordon Victor Nelson

NELSON, GORDON VICTOR, age 87, of Minnetonka, formerly of Crystal, passed away on September 7, 2014. Gordon was born on May 5, 1927 to Victor M. and Hulda (Erickson) Nelson of Braham, MN. Gordon graduated in 1944 from Cambridge High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 17th birthday and served in WWII. He attended St. Thomas College and was a 1948 graduate of St. Olaf College. Gordon had a lifetime career in sales and management, culminating with many years as the original General Manager of Rudy Luther’s Hopkins Honda, retiring in 1992. He had a competitive spirit as a salesman, high school and college baseball and basketball athlete, duplicate bridge player, and avid golfer at Golden Valley Country Club. He was a longtime member of the Hopkins Rotary Club. Gordon took special joy in the achievements of his children and grandchildren, and is remembered for his laughter and jokes, loving support, confidence, intelligence and encouraging optimism. Gordon often expressed gratitude about having had the good fortune to be married to “two wonderful women”. He met his first wife, Jane, in Ottumwa, IA, where he began his sales career with Goodyear Tire. After marrying, they lived in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois before settling in Crystal, MN, where they raised six children together for many years prior to her passing. He then found a new love for his golden years, marrying Bobbie in 1993. He and Bobbie were blessed to have over two decades together in retirement, enjoying global travel, golf, music, family & friends. Besides his first wife of 42 years, Jane, Gordon is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Ruth Alvin and Bette Kannenberg, and his oldest daughter, Claudia Nelson. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Bobbie; his children Douglas (Alison Jones) of Le Sueur, Jeffrey of Golden Valley, Stephanie Schmit (Steve) of Richfield, Charlotte Nisleit (Rick) of Woodbury, and Gregory (Kathy) of Plano, TX; his son-in-law Jeffery Spanel of Edwards, CO; and Bobbie’s children Christie Jones (Howard) of North Oaks, Gary Duncan (Pam) of St. Paul, and Michael Duncan (Kay Rezanka) of Pequot Lakes. Gordon is also survived by numerous grandchildren: Morgan (Marcus), Nick, and Liz Spanel; Blake (Christine), Peter (Anna), and Jessica Nelson; Joanna, John (Kelsie), Daniel (Tobie), Erika, and Ben Schmit; Amanda Jensen (Dave), Sarah Peterson (Zach), and Carly Nisleit; Kevin Nelson; Rachel Jenner (Ryan) and Russ Schmidt (Mindy); Lindsey Bathrick, Heather Tripp, and Casey Smith (Jamie). Gordon is also survived by great-grandchildren: Noah, Ella, Eva, Bentley, Remington, Justin, Ethan, and Ian; and by many dear friends. Memorial Service Saturday, September 13, 11:00 A.M. at Excelsior United Methodist Church, 881 3rd Avenue, Excelsior, MN, preceded by a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. A lunch reception will be held at the church following the service. The interment will be private. Memorials preferred to Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota chapter (www.alz.org/mnnd/), or to Excelsior United Methodist Church. Washburn-McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel 952-938-9020.

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Gordon Victor Nelson

September 7, 2014

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