Nordean Fritchoff &8220;Swede&8221; Nelson, age 80, of Colorado Springs, Colo. passed away on March 7, 2006, at a local care center.

He was born on Oct. 21, 1925, in Twin Lakes, Minn., to Adolph Melvin and Olga (Bakken) Nelson, who preceded him in death. Swede has been a resident of Colorado Springs since 1952. Swede served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946 achieving the rank of Corporal. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church; he was also past president of the Longmont Kiwanis club, Charter member of Sons of Norway, Elks Club 309, and VFW Post 4051. He was the owner of Rainbow International Carpet Dyeing Cleaning Company for over 20 years in Boulder County. He married Virginia Erickson on April 21, 1946, in Albert Lea.

Swede is survived by his wife Virginia, his daughter, Barbara Nelson of Colorado Springs, Cynthia (Daryl) Ritz of Colorado Springs. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Alison Ritz and Jessica Lawyer; his sisters, Arlene Monson of Albert Lea, and Helen Hill of Colorado Springs, and many nieces and nephews.

Swede is preceded in death by his sister Sylvia Nelson. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1128 E. Boulder, Colorado Springs, Colo. A memorial service was held on Thursday, March 16, at 1:30 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, Colo., with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corp.