The funeral service for Edward James Nelson will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Bonnerup Funeral Chapel in Ellendale. The Rev. Melvin Culberson will officiate. Burial will be in the Berlin Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Chapel in Ellendale and one hour before the service at the chapel. Military honors will be accorded by the Ellendale Veterans.

Edward died on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005,

at Three Links Care Center, Northfield, Minn. He was 83 years old.

Edward was born on July 28, 1922, in Ellendale, the son of James and Nina (Jensen) Nelson. He attended Ellendale School. He was raised on the family farm and growing up he had worked for area farmers. During WWII he had served with the U.S. Army from 1942 to 45 serving two years in India.

On Sept. 19, 1952, Edward was united in marriage with Alice Ashley in Ellendale. They lived their married life in Steele County.

Edward was maintenance and serviceman in Albert Lea District of Interstate Power Company and

retired Aug. 1, 1986, with a record of 40 years with Interstate Power Company. He was first employed by Interstate Power on 1946 as a maintenance and serviceman at Ellendale. He transferred to Owatonna in 1948 in the same capacity and in 1950 he transferred to the line crew in Albert Lea. In 1966 he went to Ellendale as maintenance and serviceman. Following his retirement he returned to his love of farming by helping area farmers.

Edward was a member of the Ellendale American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering with motors, gardening, fishing, and playing cribbage and cards.

Edward is survived by his wife, Alice, of Ellendale; three sons:

Ed Nelson, Jr. and his family, Nola and Jeremie, of Ellendale, Wesley (Lori) Nelson, of Ellendale, William Nelson, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; one grandson, Tyler Adam Nelson, of Ellendale; two sisters-in-law: Edna Nelson of Blooming Prairie, and Bert Ashley of California; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Violetta (Merlin) Jensen;

three brothers:

Sanford Nelson, Clifford (Mildred) Nelson, and Bob Nelson; two brothers-in-law:

Norman and Wesley Ashley.