George M. Nelson

George M. Nelson, age 87 of Hastings, passed away at his home on April 24, 2019. George was born in Hastings on May 21, 1931, the son of Leta and Tom Nelson. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1949 and went to work for 3M. While at a social function at St. Boniface Catholic Church, he met the love of his life, Mary Fox. He married her shortly after on June 1, 1957 at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They made Hastings their home and raised their 4 children there. In his spare time, George could be found golfing at Bellwood Oaks Country Club or the Hastings Country Club. He loved to build model trains, read books, go on walks, and go up to the North Shore to go hiking. He was an excellent card player and was known as being a card counting Cribbage player. George and Mary enjoyed traveling around Wisconsin and Minnesota to visit friends. He retired from 3M as a Laboratory Technician after 36 years. George had a dry, but wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him. George is preceded in death by his parents, Leta and Nels "Tom" Nelson; and his two brothers, Keith and Loren Nelson. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Mary (Fox) Nelson of Hastings; his children, Steve (Nancy) Nelson of Anoka, Jim (Duangdao) Nelson of Beach Park, Illinois, Laura Kopf of Hastings, and Paul Nelson of North St. Paul; his 7 grandchildren, Nick (Lauren) Nelson, Jake Nelson, Jeremiah Nelson, Katheryne Nelson, Andrew (Jennifer) Nelson, Grant Nelson, and Samantha Kopf ; great-grandchildren, Nasir, Sincere, Ingrid, and Alaysia; siblings-in-law, Beverly Samuelson and Leonard Fox; and other family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, in Hastings with a visitation from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow the service with the interment following at Lakeside Cemetery. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings.