The funeral service for Larry “Nellie” Nelson, 74, of Marshall, will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Posen Township. Visitation will be on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Wood Lake Community Center, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at St. Luke’s Lutheran Cemetery.
Larry “Nellie” Nelson was born on October 24, 1946 in Marshall to Morris and Gertrude Nelson. Nellie was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake. He graduated from Wood Lake high school in 1964 and then attended business school in Mankato for one year. On December 22, 1973 Larry was united in marriage to Karen Sherry at Blackhammer Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, Minnesota. They were blessed with one son, Justin. They lived in Wood Lake for one year and then moved to the family farm south of Wood Lake. They moved to Marshall in 2012. Larry was fortunate to farm with his dad for many years and now has enjoyed farming with Justin. He joined his brother-in-law Chuck in the seed business which led to many new friends and amazing trips. Nellie was actively involved in sports from early on and years after high school. He enjoyed basketball, baseball, fast pitch softball, bowling, and golfing. Nellie made friends easily and was known for his organizing fun outings/activities for them. Being a basketball enthusiast, he dedicated many years as the girl’s assistant basketball coach for the Echo-Wood Lake Cougars and the Lakeview Lakers. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching and all the players whose lives he touched over the years. One of his recent coaching highlights was the Lakeview Girls Basketball Alumni game held last January. He had such a great time seeing all the former players. Nellie always had a quick joke to tell, a big voice on the sideline and even a bigger heart. The fruit of Larry’s faith shows in the giving and kindness of himself to so many. He leaves many sweet memories to his wife of 47 years, Karen and his son, Justin and daughter-in-law Andrea and to his grandchildren, Austin and Briella who were so precious to him. He will be missed by his sister, Karen (Chuck Fischer).
Nellie died on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his nephew, Jeff, father-in-law Albert and brother-in-law Nathan.
