Lloyd Mervin Nelson, 89, of Luck, WI passed away on Friday, February 18 at his home in Luck. Lloyd was born on March 20, 1932, to Einar and Viola (Vangsgard) Nelson in Luck, Wisconsin. Lloyd played football in high school and was active in FFA. He worked on his uncle’s farm as a hired hand beginning at age 15, drove a milk route, and also set bowling pins in Milltown. When he was 17, he and three of his siblings contracted polio. He was confined to an iron lung for quite a length of time and spent 10 months at Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis in treatment and recuperating. After surgery to recover some use of his arms, he returned to his home farm. He was later employed at Erickson’s in Milltown and The Rudell Motor Company in Frederic.

In the summer of 1961, he began dating Virginia Andersen. They married on July 21, 1962, and made their home on the property that Lloyd had purchased earlier that year in Luck. After their marriage, Lloyd was employed in several different places including the plastics factory in Dresser, Schwartz Ford in Luck, and The North Luck Cash Store which he operated with Virginia. In addition, he was the Clerk for the Town of Luck for 39 years and was also on the fireboard. He had been a Sunday School teacher, and council member at Luck Lutheran Church, and prior to his marriage, had also been a chaperone for church Luther League trips.

Lloyd enjoyed entertaining his family and friends with his great storytelling, poems, humor, and occasional pranks. He was an expert at car maintenance and repair his whole life and owned a variety of cars beginning with a Model A. Lloyd was very proud to have restored his 1958 Isetta. He also enjoyed teaching young and old alike to drive. Another lifelong interest was flying and airplanes. The bug must have bitten him when he got a plane ride at about age 9. He built several models, went to ground school, and was an EAA member for several years. Lloyd was an expert at analyzing how things functioned and could repair most anything. It was common to find him directing mechanical work for cars or other household objects around the house that needed fixing. When computers became available for home use he was quick to want to learn how to use one. He took classes and joined clubs to learn more, purchased a computer, and upgraded several times. Lloyd was a wiz at finding information on the internet and especially liked watching YouTube videos about repairs, following friends on Facebook, and making online purchases. Spending time with his siblings was always a joy whether it was chatting over coffee, building or repairing, or solving all the world’s problems. He was always there to give advice when asked, and a visit with him always gave you a lift.

If there was a musical performance or special event that one of his grandchildren was presenting, he was sure to make the trip to attend. Lloyd savored the opportunity to make projects such as building pinewood derby cars, or any sort of invention. Of course, joking and teasing were always part of the process.

Lloyd was a lifelong member of Luck Lutheran Church. He had a strong faith which sustained him through many difficult struggles with health and life challenges during his lifetime. He always had an optimistic outlook and was always persevered. Problems were always something to be solved, and overcome, not dwelled on.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Einar and Viola, his wife, C. Virginia, great-granddaughter Sonja Ingrid, sisters-in-law Ardell Nelson, Marlys Pedersen, and Melva Jean Plath, and brothers-in-law Lynwood Andersen, and Andrew (Bud) Pedersen.

Lloyd leaves to celebrate his memory: his children, Shelley (Jerry) Sorenson and Bruce Nelson; grandchildren, Chris (Rebecca Westphal) Sorenson, Carl (Mara) Sorenson, Catherine (Alex) Mossman, Collin Sorenson, and Austin Nelson; great-grandchildren Nolan, Nell, and Nadia Sorenson; siblings Robert (Margie) Nelson, Jim Nelson, Fran (Walt) Kleinstuber, Carol (Jack) Gutzmer, and David (K’Aun) Nelson; special friend Eric Olson, who was like another son to him; as well as many other loving family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 2:00 PM at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria, Wisconsin with a visitation being held beforehand from 12:00-2:00 PM.

Facial coverings/masks are to be worn at your own discretion.

He will be laid to rest at the Luck Village Cemetery following the service.

There will be coffee served at the Luck Senior Center following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Courage Kenny Foundation.

Last Update: Feb 22, 2022 1:11 pm CST