Obituary for Eric J. Nelson

He was born to Jack and Margaret Nelson on Palm Sunday in Caledonia, where he would be raised and graduate from Caledonia High School. After High school, Eric enlisted in the Army. He went to Vietnam in 1969-1970, as a mechanic working on Huey helicopters.

During this time, Eric married Gail in April of 1970 in Caledonia. They would move to live in Hanau, Germany for a year, while he was stationed at Fliegerhorst Kaserne Army Base as an airplane mechanic.

After the Army, he farmed with his father-in-law Charles taking over the family farm. Eric loved farming, his cows, and fixing and working on things; whether it be a tractor or maintenance to the farm, he took pride in keeping the farm in order. He enjoyed the conversations with the regulars visiting and the employees he worked with, especially his hauling buddy, Richard. Eric farmed to the end, working with the calves and driving tractor. The most important thing to him was his family. Eric was proud his kids were taking over and lived so close. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than seeing the grandkids; wrestling with them on the floor, and talking Klingon to the little ones.

Eric was full of random information being an avid reader. Reading everything from farm magazines to National Geographic, his favorite being the Farmer's Almanac. He loved all things about the sky; getting his pilot's license and going on trips, star gazing, being able to tell you what the constellations were, taking the time to watch the sunrise after scraping the heifers in the morning, and knowing the phases of the moon. He had a full moon to greet him when he passed.

He always had some words of wisdom, or a useless fact for the day. His favorite saying: "Keep the bugs warm, and excuse me world." Will be echoing on the farm.

Eric will be missed by his parents, Jack and Margaret Nelson; wife of 53 years, Gail; 3 kids, EJ (Tammy), Jessica (Dan) Sabelko of Elmwood, WI, and Jennifer (Mark) Nutt; 9 grandchildren, Alex, Wyatt, James, and Sloane Nelson, Andrew Sabelko, Aubree, Adelyn, Emma, and Nathaniel Nutt; siblings, Mae Bubbers of La Crescent MN, Haze (Mike) Fisch of Stoughton WI, Lois (Tom) Wang of Thief River Falls MN, Mark Nelson of Peyton CO, Rose (Randy) Nelson of Vienna VA, Tammy (Mark) Nelson of Minnetonka MN, Donna Nelson of Fredericksburg VA, Carol Nelson of Prescott AZ, and Kathy Foldesi of Coon Rapids MN; Many nieces and nephews; In-Laws, Bob and Kathy Bubbers of Rock Falls IL, and Wayne and Janet Beyer of Lewiston MN.

He was preceded in death by In-Laws, Charles and Mildred Albee; Joanne and Nick Rice, Charlie Bubbers, and an infant brother Arlo.

A Celebration of life will be held Thursday, December 7th, 2023 from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., with a private family service at 1:00 P.M. at the Caledonia United Methodist Church.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be offered at this site as well.