Duane R. Nelson

FOREST CITY - Duane R. Nelson, age 86 of Forest City, died Monday, December 20, 2010 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills, Iowa with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Burial will be in the Winnebago Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be an hour prior to service at the church.


Duane Rodney Nelson was born on the farm in Mount Valley Township, Winnebago County, Iowa, on January 21, 1924, the son of Russell and Ruth (Larson) Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed at Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills and was a life-long member there. Duane received his education in rural schools near his home and graduated from Forest City High School.

Duane remained on the farm to care for his parents. He farmed with his brother Valere for several years before later farming with his father. He loved to play fast-pitch softball and was an excellent pitcher, taking his team to State Tournaments twice.

He liked animals. Duane adopted an infant raccoon and after releasing her as an adult, enjoyed feeding her and her growing family in his backyard. He raised hogs and he dearly loved his dog, Cody. He enjoyed music, liked to write and spent considerable time researching his family history.

Duane is survived by his sister, Marilyn Ostlund of Lakeville, MN; his brother and sister-in-law, Valere & Elaine Nelson of Forest City; 5 nieces and 2 nephews: Mary Jo (John) Suelter of North Carolina; Ruth (Michael) Eppel of Burnsville, MN; Lori (Robert) Litchy of Savage, MN; Patricia Juhl of Forest City; Jeffrey (Robin) Nelson of Forest City; Sally (Gary) Prinsen of Maple Plain, MN; Keith Nelson of Illinois and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Duane is preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Nelson, niece Linda Funkhauser and great-niece Atty Joy Nelson.