Duane" Dewey" Nelson

Duane “Dewey” D. Nelson, age 74, passed away on May 29, 2011 at his home, after a short battle with cancer . He was lovingly cared for by the Mayo Home Care and Hospice. He was born on June 24, 1936 at his home in the Town of Cook’s Valley, Chippewa County to Lawrence & Helen (Quam) Nelson. He married Sandra Ziebell on October 30, 1965 in Bloomer. Duane served in the United States army from 1955 – 1958. Over the years he worked at the Jim Falls Dairy, the Colfax Dairy and Ackerman Enterprises. After retirement, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He will truly be missed.

He is survived by his wife: Sandra of Colfax; three daughters: Rhonda (Lee) Cook of Colfax, Michelle (Jessie Hoff ) Laufenberg of Alma Center and Lisa (Greg Seehaver) Nelson of Colfax; five grandchildren: Kayla Snyder, James Giese, Courtney Laufenberg, Brock Rihn and MacKenzie Rihn; two great-grandchildren: Kaydyn Nielsen and Farrah Laufenberg; two sisters: Lorraine Smith of Eau Claire and Hazel Barnholdt of Fargo .

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother: Lamoyne Nelson; sister-in-law: Delaine Nelson; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Smith and Harry Barnholdt; mother and father-in-law: Earl and Margaret Ziebell; three nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer. Burial will be at the North Running Valley Cemetery in Colfax. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 on Thursday at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer.

Treatment provided by Midelfort Clinic, Luther Hospital, Red Cedar Medical Center, Dunlap Cancer Center, Dr. Burns, Oncology Department and Staff, and the Mayo Clinic Health System Home Health and Hospice staff was exceptional. The Nelson family cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for the end of life support and their professionalism. Thank you and God bless you all.


Do not Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
-Mary E. Frye-