Leonard O. Nelson

Funeral service for Leonard O. Nelson, 84, of Embarrass, will be 11am Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with Rev. Patricia Gillespie officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Waasa Cemetery in Embarrass. Mr. Nelson died Tues. Dec. 21, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his family. Leonard was born May 16, 1926 in Wadena County, MN to George and Nora (Engen) Nelson. He attended country school in Wadena and later served with the US Army during WWII in Germany, France and Belgium. Following his military service he married Vernone Davis on Aug. 11, 1951 in Wadena, MN. They moved to Babbitt and Leonard began working construction at Erie Mining Co. He retired from Reserve Mining as an auto mechanic. Leonard was a member of the Babbitt American Legion and the Babbitt Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was instrumental in founding the Northwoods Saddle Club. Leonard's family was of utmost importance to him; he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great granddaughter. He also enjoyed farming and tending to his horses and cattle. He is survived by his wife, Vernone, children, Marlys (Roger) Porisch of Embarrass, Marsha (Terry) LaCount of Hoyt Lakes and Bruce (Dawn) Nelson of Babbitt, six grandchildren: Adam McAllister, Jessica McAllister, Blair (Mark) Brandt, Rachel LaCount, Chelsea Nelson and Hannah Nelson, one great granddaughter, Evelyn Brandt and one expected great grandchild, sisters, Edna Nelson, Geraldine Nelson, LaVina (Marv) Greenwaldt and Pearl (Tom) Veilleux, sister-in-law, Carole Nelson and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Vernon and Darold.