Dale Edward Nelson

Dale Edward Nelson passed away Monday, May 4, 2015, in Tuscola, Texas following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 88. His funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the funeral home. Dale was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 25, 1926 to Sigert and Lydia (Griepentrog) Nelson. He graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School on June 1, 1944 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. One of Dale’s great loves was playing his trumpet. While in high school, he belonged to a local band which played weekends for various parties. Dale was often asked to play taps at local funerals which he considered a true honor. Dale served in the United States Army from October, 1944 to August, 1946. He played the trumpet in the 97th Army Ground Forces Band, and later was assigned to Rhineland, Germany. He received the Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, an Army of Occupation (Germany) Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. After finishing his term in the Army, Dale attended the University of Wyoming, College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1953. In 1957, he met the love of his life, Esther. They married and moved to Iola, Wisconsin where Dale owned and operated Nelson’s Drug Store from 1958 to 1988. After retiring, he and Esther moved to Holiday, Florida where they enjoyed pursuing their passion, golf. In 2007, Dale moved to Abilene, Texas to live with his daughter and son-in-law. Dale was a loving husband and wonderful father. He will be dearly missed by all of those he leaves behind. Dale is survived by his son, Steven Nelson and wife, Cresty; his daughter, Chris Sederbaum and husband Gary; and four grandchildren: Steven Nelson, Pat Nelson, Lindsey Nelson and Eddie Green. Dale is also survived by two sisters, Gerri Martini and Lois Hofmeister. In addition to his parents, Dale was also preceded in death by his wife, Esther; grandchildren, Michael Green and Faisal Nelson; and three siblings, Charles Nelson, Eugene Nelson and Elaine Bentley. Memorials may be made in honor of Dale to Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Road, Abilene, TX 79606-5105.