Don Nelson, of Spooner, passed away at Glenview Assisted Living in Shell Lake on June 27th, 2025. He was 93. He was born, the youngest of six children, on a cold December night in North Dakota in an old rented farm house. There was no electricity or running water. His parents had immigrated from Sweden. He was the first college graduate in his family. He was married to Margaret Remund, Amery, WI October, 20th, 1956 until her passing on January, 25, 2018. They had two children.

He began his career teaching music in Glenwood City in 1957. Later Don became the band director in Spooner from 1960-64. He then taught English until retiring in 1988.

He is survived by a son, Barry and a daughter, Beth (Roy) Slater both of Spooner, a granddaughter, Candace (Nate) Dietrich, of Hudson, step grandson, Ben (Ashley) Slater and family, Elk River, MN, step granddaughter, Rachel Slater, a step great grandson, Nash Focht, Spooner, and many beloved nieces and nephews and relatives. He was an avid outdoorsman and had a great respect for nature.

There will be a visitation and memorial service at the Spooner Wesleyan Church on Monday July 14. Visitation at 1pm, with a celebration of life service at 2 pm. The public is invited to attend and share in the celebration and exchange memories.

We are so thankful for the caregivers, and those who visited, called and prayed for Dad. He loved you all and cherished memories of former students and colleagues. Mostly, his family and friends are thankful for the way he lived. We witnessed an imperfect man doing his best to walk daily on the bedrock of faith. He succeeded. He died with the knowledge he had given his heart to the Lord and relied on that relationship daily.

Please join us in remembering Dad at his celebration of life service. We thank his friends and family, former students, colleagues and caregivers. While mourning the loss of our father, we are eternally grateful for the blessing of cherished memories and the promise of the same salvation our Father claimed though Jesus Christ.

Last Update: Jul 07, 2025 1:28 pm CDT