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Daniel James Nelson
Monday, July 29, 1946 – Friday, July 30, 2021
Daniel James Nelson, 75, passed away in his sleep on July 30, 2021, at his residence in Helena, MT. He was born in Helena on July 29, 1946, at St. John's Hospital to Bernie Erling ”Bud” Nelson and Evelyn Lillian Middlebrooks Miller Nelson. He lettered in wrestling and graduated from Helena High School in 1965, going on to study geology and art at Montana State University. For many years, he made maps for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and later for the United States Forest Service. His hobbies included landscaping, photography, and astronomy, the latter resulting in teaching courses at Carroll College, helping build the Dinsmore Observatory at Canyon Ferry Lake, and a long association with the Helena Astronomical Society.
As a young man, Dan led an active lifestyle of skiing, hiking, hunting, and working on his father’s mining properties. In 1980, he won the Mr. Montana title and 2nd place in the Mr. Big Sky contest. His interest in powerlifting and bodybuilding grew into an interest in health in general, and he spent the latter part of his life developing engineering solutions to help human health and lecturing on the topic around the country.
On July 5th, 1968 Dan was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He enjoyed sharing his faith and the hope of a future without suffering and death. (Revelation 21:3,4)
Survivors include his wife, Lynn Nelson and his four stepchildren, Kailey, Cameron, Ian, and Kelsey; his sisters Nancy Miller of Montgomery AL, Bonnie Best and her husband Bob of Orangevale CA; brother Jack and his wife Alicia of Missoula; three sons from a previous marriage including Jamin of Helena and Barak and his wife Krispen of Missoula; his granddaughter Ruby of Missoula; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Frederick Nelson.
Published by Simple Cremations, Helena, MT https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232485620/daniel-james-nelson
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