Kenneth M. Nelson
Kenneth M. Nelson was born on March 24, 1922, in Mankato, Minnesota to Fred and Tina (Schleusner) Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and attended school in Mankato, graduating in 1940. During his youth, Ken attained the rank of Eagle Scout. While in high school, he joined the National Guard: his unit was the first to be mobilized in 1941 in preparation for World War II. He later transferred to the Air Force and flew 25 combat missions over Germany in a B-24. His group was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their bravery over the oil refinery areas of Occupied Germany. Ken was united in marriage to Helen F. Wilkinson in Laredo, Texas in 1944. After the War, they returned to Minneapolis where he enrolled in the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1947, graduating in 1951. He worked in a dental clinic in Madison, Minnesota for two years before starting his practice in Windom on July 1, 1953. He was active in his profession as President of the Southern District Dental Society, President of the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry, and a life-long member of the MDA and ADA. Ken was active in the Windom community servin...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
n the board of the First National Bank, Director and Chair of the Board of Education for 12 years, the Hospital Board, and the American Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge No. 97, Windom County Club, Windom Area Shrine Club, and was a life member of the American Legion Post 206. Before Helen's death in 2008, they enjoyed traveling, spending many winters in Arizona and summers at their cabin at Fish Lake. He is survived by a daughter and two sons; Nancy Michalski and Dr. Gary Nelson of Windom; Steven (Mindy) Nelson of New York City; nine grandchildren; Jenni (Jon) Potter, Chris, Tonia (Greg) Moore, Tara, Eric, Liz (Drew) Blom, Sarah, Tom and Tim; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a sister Deloris Guenther of Mankato, MN; and sister-in-law, Jean Hoover of Madison, MN.
