Obituary of Donald Raymond Nelson

Donald R. Nelson, age 81, of Edina, MN, passed away on October 25, 2024. 

Don was born and raised in Chicago, where his family was actively involved in the Swedish community. He married his high school sweetheart, Gloria, and took her and their four daughters on an adventure of cross-country moving, courtesy of IBM. They ultimately settled in Minnesota.

Don spent several decades at IBM, where he amassed a collection of lifelong friends. His passion was fishing, a pursuit he got hooked on as a kid. Later in life, Don took up skiing, and he served on the ski patrol for many years. While Don loved traveling worldwide, his favorite places were Gull Lake, Lake Puckaway, and Berry Lake – on a fishing boat, of course. 

Don was preceded in death by Gloria, his parents, brother, and son-in-law. 

He is survived by daughters Deborah (Gary) Schoonover, Jennifer (Bradley, deceased) Billings, Patricia (Kenneth) Bliss, and Susan Nelson; sister, Shirley Reger; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild. 

Celebration of Life - Sunday, November 17, 2024

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church

12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN

Visitation at 2pm - Service at 3pm - Light Supper to Follow

Memorials preferred to Parkinson’s Foundation: https://parkinson.org/

or American Swedish Institute: https://asimn.org/support/donate/