Erling Nelson

Erling (Bud) Oswald Nelson, 98, of Jefferson, passed away on Sept. 11 surrounded by loving family and caregivers.

He was born Oct. 4, 1920, in Rock Creek, Mitchell County, Iowa, to Theodore and Tilda Nelson. Bud graduated from Osage High School in 1938, then worked on the family farm until enlisting in the Army during World War II. 

Bud met Arleen Lagervall on the dance floor of the Terp Ballroom, and they married in 1955 in Osage. They lived in several states before settling in Jefferson, where they owned and operated the 4-N Drive-In until they retired.

They were members of the First United Methodist Church, and Bud was a lifetime member of DAV and VFW.

His free time activities included traveling, camping and working on his rental properties. He and Arleen were active in their support of the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., traveling there with their son.

Bud was currently a member of Calvary Lutheran Church and appreciated frequent visits from Dennis and the ministry staff.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Arleen, and their son, Brad; also, by his parents, sister Joyce, and great-granddaughter Isabel. 

He is survived by daughters Paula (Gary) Rabine and Rande (David) Garnett, both of St. Louis Park, Minn.; grandchildren Abigail, Samantha, Alexander, Matthew, Brigitte, Joanna, Jon and Meri; great-grandchildren Olivia, Blake, Kevin, Gavin, Liam, Jackson and Elijah. 

A memorial service will be held in Minnesota at the Washburn-McReavey Edina Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 27. Visitation will be a half-hour preceding the service.

Interment will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. 

Condolences may be left on Bud’s online guest book at https://www.washburn-mcreavy.com/ or mailed to Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 5000 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55436