The funeral service for Howard W. Nelson of Albert Lea will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of Albert Lea. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Howard died peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, Feb. 28, 2012, following a long battle with cancer. He was 86.

He was born on Aug. 7, 1925, in Albert Lea, the son of Walter and Cora (Hanson) Nelson. Howard attended Albert Lea Schools and then began working at Albert Lea Ice and Fuel and Home Lumber Yard. He was an electrician by trade and later worked for Rutherford Electric and Gene Thompson Electric from which he retired.

Howard married Betty Halvorson on Aug. 17, 1945, in Albert Lea and they celebrated 66 years together. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Albert Lea where he served in many capacities including head usher, deacon and was on the building and maintenance committee. He enjoyed woodworking , crafts, fishing, hunting and camping in the motor home.

Howard is survived by his wife, Betty of Albert Lea; daughter, Pat Steele of Albert Lea; son, Paul (Ginger) Nelson of Mantorville; grandchildren: Shelley (Dean) Irish and their children Mitchell and Brook of Chatfield, Rodney (Sheila) Steele and their children Madison and Tyler of Albert Lea, Jeremy Nelson and daughter Cassi of Dodge Center; brother, Bert (Ellen) Nelson of Clear Lake, Iowa; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Evie Nelson of New Richland, Burton and Joyce Halvorson of Albert Lea, Genelle and Leonard Stuckey of Texas, Shirley Halvorson of California, Linda and Glen Graham of Alaska and Barb Peterson of Big Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Wilda VanRiper; brothers: Dick and Jerry Nelson; and son-in-law, Dennis Steele.

Howard was a very giving, kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be fondly remembered for always being willing to lend a helping hand. Howard will be loved and missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea Hospice, or charity of choice.