Funeral Services for Bertell J. “Bert” Nelson will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bridge Community Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the service at the church.

Bert died Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at Hospice House of North Iowa in Mason City. He was 87.

He was born March 15, 1931, in Albert Lea, the son of Walter C. and Cora E. (Hanson) Nelson.

Bert graduated from Albert Lea High School. Throughout his life he worked at Lakeshore Greenhouse, drove cab, was a substitute custodian at Albert Lea schools and then Interstate Power, retiring from the gas department after more than 30 years.

He married Helen Mickelson on April 14, 1951, in Albert Lea, and to this union Michael, LuAnn and Beth were born. She preceded Bert in death in 1990. On Sept. 21, 1991, he married Ellen Wharam Lincicum in Clear Lake.

Bert was a member of First Baptist, now Bridge Community Church, where he enjoyed helping by making needed repairs. He was a good craftsman, always available to help family with home projects. Bert had many interests and hobbies, which included bowling, woodworking, making birdhouses, camping and traveling.

Bert is survived by his wife, Ellen, of Mason City; children Michael (Mary) Nelson of Albert Lea, LuAnn (Clark) Olson of Albert Lea, Kevin Lincicum of Mason City and Beth (Mike) Foust of Lester Prairie; grandchildren Travis (Jessi) Nelson of Albert Lea, Kelsey Nelson of Lake Mills, Matthew Olson of Albert Lea, Shaun Olson of Albert Lea, Joshua (Dawn) Foust of Lester Prairie, Jessica Winter of Aitkin and Anne (Tony) Burt of Waconia; great-grandchildren Taylor Nelson, William Bair, Ryleigh Nelson, Arielle Nielsen, Noah Nelson, Natalia Nelson, Mackenzie Olson, Chase, Carter and Belle Foust, Maddie and Wyatt Winter, and AJ and Hadley Burt; sisters-in-law Evie Nelson of New Richland and Betty Nelson of Albert Lea; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; sister, Wilda VanRiper, and her husband, Kenny; brothers Richard, Howard and Gerald Nelson; and step-grandson, Jacob Osborne.

Bert was a quiet, kind, good-hearted and gentle man. His family has so many fond memories, including those of his well-thought out Christmas pranks.

Blessed be his memory.