Leslie "Les" Nelson died on Friday, July 2, 2010, at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson at the age of 87. Funeral was at 11 AM, Wed., July 7, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating; memories from all the grandchildren were read by Christine Goodfellow, Sarah Smith-Larkin and Andrew Smith; organist, Chris Lehne accompanied the singing of "Just As I Am", "How Great Thou Art" and "On Eagles's Wings;" Howard, Mike and Craig Nelson and Travis Goodfellow, Tom Smith and Patrick Larkin were casketbearers. Interment was in Grace Cemetery with military honors by the Strand-Saboe VFW Post. Visitation was at the Johnson Memorial Home Chapel on Tuesday, July 6, from 5-7 PM with a closing prayer service at 7 PM. Leslie Howard Nelson, second child of Neil and Anna Marie (Haugen) Nelson was born on May 9, 1923, in rural Madison, MN. He was baptized in 1923, at the Garfield Lutheran Church in rural Madison and was confirmed there in 1938. He attended grade school in rural Madison and graduated from the eighth grade in the Hill Country School in 1936. He worked for several farmers, helping with crops etc., at the Peterson farm, sisters, Ida and Christine Nelson farm, and then at the Yahn's farm, where he lived with them. At age 18, he went to work on the Alaskan Highway until he returned to Dawson. Les was united in marriage to Pearl Esther Thompson on October 7, 1944. He entered the Army in 1945, and on the way overseas to the Philippine Islands, his first son, Howard was born. At the end of WWII, he was in the Philippine's, where he operated an amphibious "Duck," used in troop landings. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Dawson. Four more children were born: Peggy, Michael, Kathryn and Craig. Les was a master mechanic for both automobiles and trucks. He owned and operated the Phillip 66 service station, where he was known for his service and ability to fix any car. He then worked for Don Pederson, and then for Lac Qui Parle County Highway Department until his retirement. After they sold their home, they moved to Prairie West Apartments, Prairie Meadows Assisted Living, and to the Johnson Memorial Home. Les died there on Friday morning, July 2, 2010, at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 23 days. Les had several interests, including pitching for a softball team in his younger years, league bowling, bird hunting and fishing. His biggest catch was a 150-pound tarpon in the Florida Keys. Les and Pearl enjoyed camping in their VW camper and made many trips to northern Minnesota with their friends, Virgil and Florence Anderson. In recent years, his best times were enjoying a friendly game of cards with his neighbors and seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His sense of humor was legendary. He loved telling jokes, but would start laughing so hard, Pearl would have to finish the punch line. He is survived by his wife, Pearl at the Johnson Memorial Home; 5 children: Howard Nelson of Jacksonville, FL, Peggy (Tom) Smith of Lakeville, MN, Mike (Cindy) Nelson of Freeland, MI, Kate (Will) Koshnick of Fargo, ND, and Craig (Karen) Nelson of Dayton, ME; 13 grandchildren: Andrea Nelson, Jeffrey Nelson, Christine (Travis) Goodfellow, Sarah (Patrick) Smith-Larkin, Andrew Smith, Ryan Nelson, Brian Nelson, Jody Von Oppen, Adam Nelson, Damian Koshnick and fiance, Jennifer Stompro, Kali (Brian) Jones, Marit Nelson and Greta Nelson; 8 great-grandchildren: Coral, Hunter, Heather, Thomas, Talullah, Matilda, Taylor and Dylan; two sisters: Jean Thompson of Eden Prairie and Winnie Nelson of Edina; sister-in-law, Bernice Nelson of Denver, CO; other family and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents; and two brothers: Jennings and Erling Nelson. Blessed be his memory.