Walter L. Nelson, 77, of Tabor, Iowa, died Sunday, March 6, 2011, at Tabor Manor Care Center in Tabor following a brief illness. Walter was born Sept. 24, 1933, in Albert Lea to Rudolph Edward Nelson and Truly Mae (Pike) Nelson. On Sept. 14, 1955, he was married to Betty Jean Jorgenson in Lyle. They made their home in Anchorage, Ark., while Walter was in the service with the U.S. Army. Next, they farmed in southern Minnesota for five years, lived in Fremont, Neb., for five years and then moved to Tabor, Iowa, where they lived for 13 years. Walter and Betty moved to Buffalo Center, Iowa, where they lived for 12 years, then to near West Concord for 10 years and Warner Robins, Ga., for 10 years before moving back to Tabor in September of 2010 when Walter entered the nursing home.

Walter was a member of the Tabor Church of the Nazarene, the West Concord American Legion Post No. 295, and Gideon’s International.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Betty Nelson of Tabor, Iowa; three daughters: Nancy Hetrick and husband, Jim, of Kasson, Robin Worcester and husband, Mitchell, of Tabor and Heidi Hintz and husband, Dean, of Warner Robins, Ga.; eight grandchildren: Joshua Hetrick and wife, Melea, Kirk Worcester and wife, Samantha, Christopher Worcester, Mallorie Mosely and husband, Matthew, Courtney Hintz, Taylor Hintz, David Hetrick and wife, Nicki, and Renee Edds and husband, Earl; six great-grandchildren: Darien, Justice, Breanna, Kayli, William and Brock; sister, Marion Copa and husband, Kenneth, of St. Paul; two brothers: Ronald Nelson and wife, Marilyn, of Owatonna and Larry Nelson and wife, Paulette, of Albert Lea; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Tabor, Iowa, Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Jeff Jewett officiating. There will be no viewing or visitations and scattering of ashes will be at a later time in Minnesota. Memorials will go to the Tabor Church of the Nazarene or to Gideon’s Internationa, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. The Crawford-Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.