FREDERICK "FRED"'S OBITUARY
Frederick Louis Nelson, age 81 of Lakeville MN passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by his loving family on May 10, 2024. Fred was born on December 17, 1942 to Floyd and Eva Nelson in Minneapolis, MN. Fred grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1960. He attended the University of Minnesota before enlisting in the US Air Force where he proudly served his country for 4 years. Fred married his high school sweetheart, Karen in 1964. Fred and his family lived in the Lakeville community for 50 years where he was involved with the Lakeville school board, St. John’s Lutheran church council, USA Freestyle skiing association, and managed the Lakeville Grove Cemetery for 35 years. Fred and Karen loved traveling the world together, spending the winter months in their home in Utah, hiking in the National Parks, and bicycling the trails around the Twin Cities. One of Fred’s favorite pastimes was paddling a canoe in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Fred worked in manufacturing management for most of his life and eventually as a Consultant for International Business Compliance. Fred retired in 2022. Since his retirement he has enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s numerous sporting events. Fred is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Julie Ann Nelson, and sister-in-law, Marian Nelson. Fred is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Karen (Haas); children, Beth (Brian) Bailey, Philip (Emily) Nelson, and Laura (Mitch) Opsahl; grandchildren Trygg, Kaisa, Alexis, Owen, Quinn, and Linnea; brothers, Daniel, and Paul (Susan) Nelson, and sister-in-law Sandra Engen. Nieces Denise, Elaine, and Molly, and nephews Lowell and Emory and additional family and friends. A private graveside service will be held at Lakeville Grove Cemetery, with a Celebration of Fred’s life later this summer.
Memorials can be directed to Friends of the Boundary Waters or National Park Foundation.
Friends of the Boundary Waters:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/memorial/
A gathering for Fred's friends and family to celebrate his life will be held Friday, June 14, 2024, 2-5 pm at Legends Golf Course, Prior Lake, MN.
Peter Christensen
Fred was my oldest friend. We met the summer after 4th grade. We were confirmed together and I was best man at his and Karen's wedding. I knew his parents, his brothers and his sister. Too many memories to listJohn F. Ramberg
I was saddend to hear that our friend Mr. Nelson had passed. I had recently visited with Fred over coffee as we had done off and on over the past few years. We both enjoyed the reminiscing of years gone by, frequently repeating the same story's we had told the last time we meet, but really not caring as we laughed again because it felt good. ( or our memory had a short circuit). How interesting I have thought, and how impactful our 50th Reunion was as it allowed me to resurrect several old friendships which have brought great joy to my later years. And Fred was one of them. Thank you Fred. God's merciful peace is now yours.