Chris Nelson

Funeral Service for Chris Nelson Jr. , 85, of Baker, MT will be 1:00 p. m. on Friday, December 17, 2010, in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with Pastors Bruce & Reba Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker with Military Rites by the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post #35 and the Montana Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be 6:30 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Thursday, December 16th, and continue on Friday from 9:00 a. m. until the time of service. Chris passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at Fallon Medical Complex in Baker, MT. Chris Nelson Jr. was born a son of Chris and Edna (Willadsen) Nelson Sr. on June 28, 1925, on the family farm in Shelby Township at Harlan, IA. Chris grew up in Harlan where he attended school. At a young age, Chris worked for various farmers around Harlan milking cows and driving truck. Chris served during WWII in the United States Army from March of 1945 and was Honorably discharged in December 1946. Following his discharge, Chris returned to Harlan. Chris would often comment that he grew up on the ?north side of town?, but it was a beautiful girl from the ?south side of town? who stole his heart. On July 7, 1948, Chris and Betty June Janssen were married in Harlan, IA. Following their marriage, Chris and Betty made their home in Harlan where Chris worked at a local body shop. In 1955, Chris, Betty and their young family moved to Baker, MT where Chris went to work for his brother-in-law, Bud Bowen at the Super Value Store as a meat cutter. Eventually he would take a job with MDU in Baker, making it a career until his retirement. In 1991, Chris and Betty purchased a home at Shadehill Dam near Lemmon, SD where they lived in the summer months and Baker during the winter. Chris and Betty enjoyed their time at Shadehill but following Betty?s death in October of 2008, Chris moved back to Baker where he has lived since. Chris loved the sport of stockcar racing where he participated as a driver as well as being an outdoorsman enjoying fishing and hunting. His favorite pastimes were gardening and his vintage John Deere tractors. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a member of the IBEW Local Union #958. Chris is survived by his children, Christy Johnson, Warsaw, MO and her children Kim (Kevin) Lovewell and Jeff (Omie) Johnson, Bob (Selena) Nelson, Baker, MT, Lori (Dave) Hall, Baker, MT and their children, Davin, Courtney and Lacey (Zane) Selle, Bill Nelson (Dora), Baker, MT and Mike (Pam) Nelson, Baker, MT and their children, Trevor, Taylor and Tori; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grand daughter; two sisters, Dorothy Petersen, Harlan, IA and Shirley (Gerald ?Shorty?) Nelsen, Elkhorn, IA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents, Chris Sr. and Edna Nelson; a brother, Oliver and two sisters, Valdene Bowen and Eunice Nelsen.


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Burial Date: December 17, 2010
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Friday, Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT