Ronald Keith Nelson — Lakeland

Ronald Keith Nelson, 76, died Saturday, May 23, 2015, at Woodbury Health Care Center in Woodbury.

He lived the past 16 months at the Woodbury Health Care Center and resided in Lakeland, Minn., for most of his life. He was born Nov. 6, 1938, in Osceola, Wis., to C. Emil and Signe (Alexander) Nelson of Shafer, Minn., and attended elementary and high school in Osceola, Wis. He graduated in 1956. Ron won numerous awards in 4-H activities and was active in the Osceola FFA. He worked as a machinist and auctioneer in Wisconsin. In 1961, Ronald joined the Air Force National Guard, and he also worked as a civilian on government planes. He retired in 1990 after a medical discharge. In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Ronald enjoyed bowling and participated in many national competitions through the Air Force National Guard. He also sponsored his own bowling team, Ronnie's Auctioneer Service. In his early life, he snowmobiled, skied, boated and liked fishing. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, attended auctions, restored antique tractors, and had an extensive toy tractor collection. Ron was known for his dry sense of humor and outgoing personality.

Ron never married.

He is survived by his brother, Roderick Nelson and wife, Pamela of Chatfield; nephew, Tyler and his wife, Mary Beth; and great-niece, Charlotte May of Rochester; and niece, Lindsey of Chatfield.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; and brother, Joyval in 2006.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chisago Lakes Evangelical Lutheran Church in Center City, Minn.

Funeral Services will be held at the church at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Arrangements by the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.

Condolences may be left online at grandstrandfh.com .