Donald E. Nelson, age 79, of Miles City passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Don was born March 18, 1935 to Elmer and Jen (Spek) Nelson. He attended schools in Roundup graduating from Roundup High School in 1953. Don earned a basketball scholarship to Montana State College in Bozeman where he was the starting center for the Cats from 1953 – 1955. After graduating with his Bachelor’s degree he began working for the BLM in 1958 in Bridger, MT and later on that year he was transferred to Miles City to work as a Range Tech. He married Eleanor Walker on April 11, 1959. In 1961 he became manager for the BLM in Miles City. He worked for the BLM for 35 years while continuing to run the family ranch west of Melstone. Don retired at the age of 59 and, while making his home in Miles City, he continued operating the family ranch with his son.
Don loved to hunt, fish, golf, play cards all the while socializing with friends which he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In addition to his wife Eleanor Nelson of Miles City he is survived by son Keith Nelson of Melstone; daughters Paula (Earl) Howe of Miles City and Sheila Gunstone of Bonney Lake, WA; sister Beverly Hougardy of Seattle, WA as well as six grandsons.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Stevenson’s Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire memorials can be made to Meal’s on Wheels Food Bank or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 29, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 30, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 29, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 30, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Sherry Oster says
Dear Paula, Earl, Ryan, Kyle and all of Don’s family;
I am so sorry to hear about Don! Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love you guys!
Arlene and Dennis Corbin says
We are sending our thoughts and prayers to you all during this sad time
Kelli Klein says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Don’s family and friends. I worked for Don at BLM and he was a great boss and a very nice man.
Rose Timmons says
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you Paula and your family.
Mitch and Laurie cadlo says
Weare
We are sorry to hear of your loss,we had great times and good memories of your dad. H e will be greatly missed. Y our family is in our thoughts and prayers
We are so sorry for your loss, we had a lot of good times and memories with your dad. O ur thoughts and prayer are with your family through this difficult time.
Rob and Judy Reukauf says
We were very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My growing up years were spent observing the friendship and interaction between Don, my Dad, and the Prairie County Cooperative State Grazing District. He was a man of his word, and went out of his way to try to smooth the way when distasteful edicts would come down from on high that might have an adverse impact between the Miles City District BLM and ‘his’ permittees. Don believed in a culture of cooperation rather than adversity, and that culture still exists to some extent mainly due to his efforts. So long old friend.
Neil and Evelyn Morck says
Dear Eleanor and Family — Really caught me by surprise and so sorry to hear of Don”,s death. Its been a long time and we remember only the good times. I hope to see you at the funeral on Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Eleanor and family.
Evelyn and Neil.
clara jo (Arneson) Sikveland says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and family Paula. God Bless
Ron and Connie Watts says
So sorry, Paula, for the loss of your dad. God bless you and your family.
Pam & Karl Rogge says
Paula and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Cherish the memoriess of the good times.
Pam
Rick, Annette, Presley and Derrick says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sorry for your loss. We love you all.
Donna Riley says
Dear Nelson Family:
I was saddened to read the loss of Don. I knew Don in high school in
Roundup. Then we both ended up in Miles City. We were always friends and up for a good visit each time our paths crossed. I still laugh when I remember him telling me about the time he locked himself out of his vehicle while on a trip to the ranch!! Can’t tell all of that
here.
Don was a truly good person, and I an so sorry for you all. My deepest sympathy.
Marty and Vicki Griffith says
I was sad to hear of Don’s passing. I worked for him at BLM in the 80s. He was a great man, leader and friend and taught me many values I still carry today. My prayers are with the whole family. God Bless.
Eileen & Vern Entzel says
Paula, we were so sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Paula, Earl and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It’s been a difficult journey these past months. Though it is not easy, he is at peace and in a better place now. Cherish your memories. God Bless you all.
Janet Klein says
Nelson family, I was saddened by the news of Don’s passing. He was a gentle giant with a very warm personality. My parents did the janitorial work at the BLM for many years and Don was always friendly, helpful and seemed to just enjoy the days working at the job and the weekends where he could be at his ranch. Heaven now has another angel to take care of those cattle and to ride the range. Memories will sustain you through your grief and will relieve some of the pain. Bless you all through your journey of grief.
Greg Turley says
Keith , so sorry about your dad . He was a great man .
Anna Lekse Cross says
I was very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. It was such a pleasure to know him. He was such a gentlman.
Rene Evns says
My thoughts and prayer are with you. Thinking of you, Packy?
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Mike Bennett says
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Sheila my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your team at Boeing knows that your Dad had to be a great man to raise such a wonderful Daughter.
Linda Polich says
Sorry to hear about your Dad. My prayers are with you!
Merry and Armando says
So sorry for the loss of your dad. God bless you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family Paula. I will miss your father and all of our wonderful conversations. Your father was a very wonderful man.
Heidi Konynenbelt says
Keith, Paula, and Sheila,
What a sweet man your dad was. And so loving, tender and funny, especially through my eyes as a kid. What an infectious, melodious laugh. He gave me very wonderful memories and was the first person to introduce me to Whoppers and frog legs. Praying for you all and wish I could be with you. May the Lord hold you close. All my love.
Dale Tribby says
I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I was fortunate enough to work with Don for several years and he influenced my career significantly. Don was responsible for providing me the opportunity to move to Miles City for which I will be forever greatful. I especially remember the relationship Don had with the many ranchers we dealt with. He was kind, respectful while at the same time fair. My thoughts are with you all.
Corey Swenson says
Keith and Family. Sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My Dad (who just passed away in August) worked with Don at BLM for many years and had everything good to say about him. May your most precious memories of him shine through in the days and weeks ahead. Thoughts of comfort and prayers for you all.
Mike Archdale says
To the Don Nelson Family,
My dad Jim Archdale of Miles City, MT, was a fence contractor. He had a number of contracts to build fence for the BLM. In Jim Archdale’s opinion, Don Nelson, was a prince among men. Tough to lose a loved one, remember the good times.
Ralph and Karen says
Dear Eleanor and family: We are so sorry to hear about Don. We have a lot of memories – from Klein days – to Roundup – to Miles City. Thoughts, love and hugs to all of you. Karen and Ralph
Bette Lowery says
Eleanor and family and Beverly Hougardy: My thought are with you all at this difficult time. There are so many good memories during our high school years at Roundup and following at MSU.