Funeral services for Terry Milford Nelson, 64, of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by local serviceman’s organizations. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Terry died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at his home from congestive heart failure.
Terry Milford Nelson was born May 18, 1945, to Milford and Helen (Thorson) Nelson in Albert Lea. He graduated from Albert Lea High School and the University of Minnesota where he was in the Gopher Marching Band. After college Terry joined the U.S. Navy for four years where he served on the battleship, New Jersey. He played in the Navy band. On June 26, 1971, he was united in marriage to DeAnna Foley at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Terry did band instrument repair out of his home and polished brass for many local churches. He worked at Fleet Farm Supply of Albert Lea for 31 years and was a co-owner for 15 years. Terry was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Blue Banners, Lutheran Brass, Grapevine Twist Square Dancing, the Elks and the Albert Lea Legion. He played the trumpet for community theater productions. He also volunteered his time to play taps at many funerals. Terry was a great artist and enjoyed painting, sculpting, carving, woodworking, storytelling, golfing, fishing, riding his Harley and going to Sturgis. Terry was a very social person.
Survivors include his son, Brian Nelson, of Albert Lea; daughter, Lisa Nelson, of Albert Lea; granddaughter, Paige Norton, of St. Paul; brother, Steve (Kathy) Nelson, of Albert Lea and their children Ryan of Minneapolis and Kari of Winona; brother-in-law, James (Bonnie) Foley, of Glenville and Darlene (Larry) LaRue of Glenville and their children Jason (Dayna) LaRue of Clarks Grove and their son Zachary of Clarks Grove, Troy LaRue of Albert Lea, Shari (Dean) Meyer of Albert Lea, and Ricky Fenske of Washington.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, DeAnna; and sister-in-law, Arlene Mapson.