Dale Orlando Nelson age 70 of Westbrook passed away Friday, December 12, 2014 in Westbrook. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 16 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Storden. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday at the church. Private family burial is in Old Westbrook Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dale Orlando Nelson was born August 4, 1944 to Orlando and Victoria (Lind) Nelson in Westbrook, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm learning how to call in the sheep like his dad, hunt for squirrels, and bale hay like a good country boy. Dale was baptized and later confirmed in his faith at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. He attended school in Westbrook and married Marjorie Natterstad on January 23, 1961. This young couple farmed with Dale’s father and later moved their family to the “big farm house” when Ole and Tora retired and moved to Westbrook. Dale later moved to Storden in 1992 and chose a new career working at Sather’s Candy Co. He retired from Sather’s and enjoyed a bachelor’s life of shaking dice with his buddies at the Shady Drive-Inn. Dale was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, serving the church in various ways. In 1981, Dale entered the Jordan treatment center and began a lifetime of learning to live without alcohol. Since that time, he made many good and dear friendships through his involvement in AA. He loved to read, especially history and Native American biographies. Dale was a nature lover and enjoyed anything that allowed him time outdoors. Hunting was his favorite past time, which he enjoyed later with his sons and granddaughters.
Dale was proud of his four children: Robin (Mick) Madson of Westbrook, Richard (Barb) Nelson of LaCrosse, WI, Monte (Cindy) Nelson of Northfield, and Orlando (Lori) Nelson of Hartford, SD; grandchildren: Anthony Madson, Alexia (Madson) Hansen, Amanda Farrell, Danielle Madson, Lindsey Nelson, Samantha (Nelson) Tennessen, Dominick Madson, Holly Nelson, Emily Nelson, and Jacob Nelson; 8 great-grandchildren who continue the circle of life; and sisters Joyce Jensen of Westbrook and Donna Dunlap of Marshall. He is preceded in death by his parents Ole and Tora, a baby sister Carol, and sisters Orlean Jensen and LeeAnn Wyffels.
We are so sorry to hear of your tragic loss and want you to know you are in our prayers and thoughts.
Thanks so much, Janet, for your kind words. Dale’s kids and I, too, appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Cousin Donna
I am truly sorry for you loss,To all of Dale’s Family you have my deepest heartfelt sympathy, I know he will be dearly missed by all that knew him I truly enjoyed his company when we went to the gun shop in Lake Benton. I will always miss him , From Arlan Karschnik & Delores Hansen who so enjoyed his warm hand shake and smile at church.
Arlan, Thanks for the kind words. Dad mentioned you whenever you guys had been out hitting the gun shops or shows.
Monte Nelson
I wish I had done more with him, I still find it hard to believe, I saw him this summer when I was home in MN. We were at the nursing home and he had hung some flowers outside Joyce’s window , We had a great time I had not seen him for awhile , the only thing I remember him saying that I had never heard him complain about, was how his back had been bothering him, I had no idea that anything was wrong other than that. I hope that peace comes to you and your family , knowing how much he was Loved by everyone that knew him,!!!!!
The Nelson Family: My deepest sympathy goes out to each one of you. Your dad was a delight to have around the apartment building for my mom and the other residents. He always brighten their day and was there with a helpful hand. He will be surely missed by a lot of people. Richard, a special hug goes out to you my dear classmate. It will be a tough road. Losing a dad is a hard thing to deal with. I miss my dad every day. God Bless you all!!
Barb Schmidt Aasen
Sioux Falls
He enjoyed being the local handyman at the apartment.
thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Rich Nelson
Sorry to hear Dale has passed away. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family. Living only a couple of miles apart during the high school years, Dale and I spend a lot of time together. I will always remember him for his great sense of humor and incredible knowledge about anything mechanical. He will always be remembered.
I met Dale back in the early 80s when we lived in Walnut Grove. We attended meetings together and shared many good times. I saw him last Spring and we had nice visit. During our visit it was very clear that he was extremely proud of his family and his sobriety! Weather permitting I hope to make it to either the family service or the funeral — bless Dale on his new journey!
To the Nelson Family,
Was sad to hear the tragic news and while we never know why this disease takes the best and strongest, I wish you all peace of mind and strength of spirit during this time of grief and celebration of the man who filled the hearts of many with his generosity, warmth and love.
Blessed be in peace.
Thank You for the kind words. Nice of you to think of our family at this time.
Our sincere sympathies to you all. He always had a smile for us when we would see him at the nursing home.
Monte and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My sympathy to Dale’s family and friends. I only knew him as a boy, when we would go to the farm as children and play together. He had a unique sense of humor way back them. Cherish the memories you have of him.
Janice ~ thank you so much for you kind words. It surely brought back memories of when you, your folks and siblings would come out to the farm on a Sunday afternoon, from Storden. Everybody had someone to play with! Elwin and I were the same age. My, those are long-ago days, aren’t they? Thank you again for remembering all of us at this sad time. Dale has 4 wonderful children, who I know also appreciate your taking the time to get in touch.
Old cousin Donna June
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. God’s peace to all.
My sympathies to the Nelson family. My memories of Dale are from over 60 years ago. I lived across the road from the “big farm house” during some of my grade school years. I have many fond memories of those years and the time spent with Dale. With him being a couple of years older than myself I thought he was pretty cool. RIP Dale Nelson.
To Dale’s Family,
My sympathy to all of you in the loss of your Dad, brother, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, and friend. The last time I saw Dale was at Aunt Tora’s funeral and we had a good visit that day. I will always remember visiting at Tora and Ole’s farm and spending time together there as a young girl. One thing I remember very clearly is that Ole and Dale did like to hunt and one time when we were there Tora fixed rabbit for a meal–I was in no way going to eat that rabbit meat and I’m sure Mom and Dad were totally embarrassed by me that day. I also remember the big farm house and how it was always so clean (which amazed me); the linoleum floors were waxed to a shiny finish and all was tidy.
May God comfort you and bless you with many wonderful memories.
Cousin Arlene Lind Drew
Our deep sympathy to the Nelsn Family at this sad time in your lives! Dale will surely be missed, he was very special to Denny and I. Our prayers are with you all!
I only got to know Dale this year when I returned to Storden to care for my parents. We would see him when we visited the Shady Drive-in, and later at the Westbrook Good Samaritan when Mom and Dad had the need to move there. I admired Dale’s faithful visits to his sister Joyce. My sympathies to the whole family.
Robin, Richard, Monte, and Orlando So sorry for the loss of your Dad. My deepest sympathy to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are offering our sincere sympathy to the family of Dale. We shared many good conversations over the years with Dale, be it farming, hunting, and life in general. Dale was a well learned individual, and always good sense of humor. We do know that he was in regular attendance at the Shady Drive Inn, and shaking dice with the group. There will be a special place in our hearts, of the memories that we shared with Dale.
John 14:1-4
I was so sorry to hear the news of your loss. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Blessings to all!
Sorry for your loss. Dale sounded like a fun guy. Deepest sympathy. Praying for your family
Tyson Devericks-Friend of Orlando and Lori
I have so many fond memories of the times spent with out families in the early years. There were no fireworks available where Dale grew up, so several years Tora, Ole and the kids came to our house at Salem, South Dakota. They would spend two or three days and Dale always came armed with a set of double holster cap guns and a bunch of farm toys. Before they left and went home Dale would talk his Dad into taking his to the fireworks stand and they would buy most of what was left. I remember one time they spent the unreal amount of over $20.00, I know there was at least two grocery bags of stuff. And Dale always ended up with a case of Black Cat firecrackers, I think he was bootlegging them around their farm. As we grew older and each had our kids, grandkids and great grandkids we did not see as much of each other as they old days, and that makes me sad……………..for now it is too late. Rest in peace Dale.
Dear Nelson family,
I was surprised to hear about Dale’s passing. Many memories came back to me, time on our farm by Salem, SD, and the Nelson farm, in MN. We always had so much fun playing outdoors. Dale was right between me and my brother Cam in age, so we had a lot in common. I can remember the farm in MN, the big house that I thought was like a mansion. It just seemed like everything on that farm was bigger than our farm by Salem. Probably just imperfect childhood memories. I read Cam’s entry and also remember the fireworks thing. How Dale loved to shoot fireworks! I can tell by the posts that Dale was a good dad, loved by his children, and sisters. My sympathies are with you all. May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Cousin Gloria Lind (Uncle Bob Lind’s oldest)
To all those from the “Lind” side of the family……….thank you for the thoughts, prayers, and most importantly, the memories. We talked about the Farm and the Fireworks in our Eulogy at Dad’s funeral. Having grown up in the house, then the years passed………I forget how many people referred to the “Big Farm House on the Corner.”
Again……Thank you from our Family.
My deepest condolences for Dales family and friends. I will miss him on my visits back home where he always had a warm smile and a good word to share. My prayers that you will remember fondly all the good things about a man I am proud to call friend. Happy hunting Dale.
With all my heart,
Vern Bass
Blessings to the Nelson family. Joyce and Orlean and I were friends. Dale was bprn the year Joyce and I graduated from High school. He was a cute little baby then. The Lord be with you all during this hard time. and after.
Blessings Donna