James Elmore Nelson, 84, of rural Austin, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident.

Jim was born May 3, 1923, in Freeborn County, to Jesse and Evelyn (Nagel) Nelson. On Nov. 26, 1949, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Gilma Aldahl. Jim farmed in Freeborn County, Oakland Township his entire life. In 1957 he was the Outstanding Farmer of the Year.

Jim enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, golf, dancing, spending time with special friends, going out for dinner and playing cards and going for coffee every day with his friends.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Nelson of Austin; children, Dennis Nelson of Austin, Judy (Mike) White of Blooming Prairie and Dean (Laureen) Nelson of Plainview; grandchildren, Christine and David White, Laura Nelson and Sara Vagt; step grandchildren, Andrew, Lisa, Lindsey and Nathan Tilkes; great-granddaughter, Kya Christopherson; brother, Kenneth (June) Nelson, Adams; sister-in-law, Lorraine Aldahl, Madison, Wis.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Evelyn Nelson; sister, Mavis Nelson; brother-in-law, Kermit Aldahl; and nephew, Ken Aldahl.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Our Savior&8217;s Lutheran Church. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mayer Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

The honorary casket bearers will be LaVon and Tillie Grosland, Bob and Ruth Libersky, Darwin and Betty Fossey, Leslie and Germaine Matthies, Bob and Betty Thompson, Jerry and Evie Mohrfeld, Larry and Lorraine Fjelstad and Dan and Gerry Whalen. The casket bearers will be Steve Aldahl, Scott Hayden, Dan Cotter, Conrad Nelson, Loren Lair, Wayne Brandt and Peter Heers.