Jerome “Jerry” Nelson passed away on Jan. 5, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He will be sadly missed by all.
He was born in Albert Lea on July 12, 1925, to Ralph and Dora Nelson. Jerry grew up with his brother, Ralph “Bud,” and sister, Mary Lou. Jerry’s father owned the Albert Lea Ice and Fuel Company which supplied the town with heating and ice.
After attending Albert Lea High School, Jerry enlisted in the Navy, learned to fly solo in a plane. In 1946 he and Erma Kelly married, Jerry began studying at the University of Minnesota graduating with a degree in engineering geology. Going to work for Geophysical Services Inc. gave them the opportunity to see the U.S. Jerry went to work for the State of California Department of Water Resources in 1956 and was the first Geophysicist to join the team for the state aqueduct. After 17 years he went into consulting traveling the world working on a variety of water and oil projects. In his later years he went out on his own practicing forensic geophysics where he was called to numerous crime scenes.
He is survived by his daughters: Barbara (Terry) Burke, Linda (Bob) Nelson-Harwood and Suzanne (Gary) Butcher; grandchildren: Michael (Felicia) and Bryanna Burke, Jeremy (Jamie) and Katelin Butcher and Zach Kammen-Harwood; and his great-granddaughter Alexandra Burke.
Erma Kelly Nelson preceded him in death in 1992, they had known each other since he was eight.
A memorial mass was held in his honor on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Rocklin, Calif., and a private family interment at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento, Calif. Family and friends are invited to express their condolences and find a complete biography, as well as additional information at www.blueoakcscbs.com.