Obituary

Nelson, Anfred ?Andy,? 102

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Uncle and Great-Uncle.

Passed away peacefully in his home in Laguna Woods on November 4, 2006. Andy- a native of Hallock, Minnesota- was born to Andrew and Christina Steen Nelson on October 27, 1904. During his adolescence, Andy worked on farms and learned to be a hard worker- a trait he applied throughout his long life.

In 1924, Andy gained employment with the Minnesota Highway Department and worked on several road construction projects throughout the state. During this time, Andy married Ione Hanson. In 1943, Andy volunteered with the Army Combat Engineers at the age of 38. He served for 26 months as an officer with a combat engineer battalion in the European Theater of World War II. He arrived on Omaha Beach in France just a few days after D-Day, and participated in the liberation of Europe. Following the war, Andy and his wife made their home in Bemidji, MN, where he worked as the assistant district engineer. Andy’s wife, Ione, and newborn child both passed away in 1951. Andy remarried in 1952, this time to Marcia Clay, and adopted her two children, Dick and Ginny. In 1953, Andy was asked to be an engineer and office manager on a three-year project for a U.S. Air Force base on the Azores Islands near Portugal. The family returned to Minneapolis in 1956, where Andy worked on a variety of highway projects until 1960, when the family moved to Glendale, California. While in California, Andy worked on the construction of the Lompoc Airport in Santa Barbara County. In 1961, Andy joined in a partnership with his brother in the operation of a plastic molding company in Burbank. He retired in 1970, and soon thereafter moved with his wife to Leisure World in Orange County. In retirement, Andy enjoyed working as a security guard for sixteen years in the Leisure World community, selling and installing American flags for the American Legion, gardening, and spending lots of time with his family and many friends. Andy was a member of the Geneva Presbyterian Church, a life member of the American Legion, and a life member of the Three Masonic Orders.

He was greatly loved by his family and friends. His positive attitude, kindness, generosity and wisdom will be his legacy. His wife, Marcia, passed away in March of 2000. Andy is survived by his two children, Dick Nelson and Ginny Latta; grandchildren Dana Cross, Alan Latta, David Latta, and Amy Schoppe; and great-grandchildren Amanda Aceves, Raechel Roberts, and Sofia Latta.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 ~ 11:00 A.M. at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest, California with an American Legion Honor Guard at the graveside.
There also be a Memorial Service on Saturday, December 2, 2006 ~ 1:00 P.M. at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills, California with refreshments to follow.

Andy’s family sends thanks to Angels to the Rescue for their four years of loving homecare.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Angels to the Rescue, Hospice of Saddleback, or to the Geneva Presbyterian Church.