Thomas Earl Nelson

Thomas Earl Nelson, age 75, of New Brighton, Minnesota died peacefully at home on September 23, 2024, after a seven year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

July 23, 1949 – September 23, 2024

Tom was born on July 23, 1949 to Walter Edward Nelson and Beth Eda (Perkins) Nelson in Minneapolis, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ronald Nelson, his brother-in-law Gene Nelsen, and his best friend Dale Robertson.

Tom grew up in Minneapolis, until the family moved to Columbia Heights, MN where he graduated from CHHS in 1967. He attended Dunwood Institute where he received a two-year-degree with honors in Construction Estimating. His academic achievements earned him a position with the highly respected M.A. Mortenson Construction Co. where he worked until he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in August of 1968. Tom proudly served his country in a year long deployment in Vietnam before returning home with an honorable discharge in April 1970, as a Lance Corporal in the Recon Marines. While in Viet Nam, Tom experienced to a number of war time incidents and he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received during his service to our country. Soon after he returned home, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Kieafe and they remained married for several years.

Tom is survived by his son, Chad Nelson, Ryan Nelson, sister Bonnie Nelsen, sister-in-law Jackie Nelson, six grandchildren Owen, Beau, Finn and Boyd Nelson as well as Braden and Alexa Nelson, and special friends Shannon and Saisha Torrence.

He is loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

A funeral service will be held at Sunset Kapala Glodek Funeral Home, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55418 on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 10:00am, with half hour visitation prior from 9:30am - 10:00am. A full military ceremony and burial will follow immediate after the service at 11:15am at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55450.

Thomas Earl Nelson

Thomas enlisted in the US Marine Corps in August of 1968. Tom proudly served his country in a year long deployment in Vietnam before returning home with an honorable discharge in April 1970, as a Lance Corporal in the Recon Marines. While in Viet Nam, Tom experienced to a number of war time incidents and he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received during his service to our country. 

A funeral service will be held at Sunset Kapala Glodek Funeral Home, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55418 on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 10:00am, with half hour visitation prior from 9:30am - 10:00am. A full military ceremony and burial will follow immediate after the service at 11:15am at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55450.

A funeral service will be held at Sunset Kapala Glodek Funeral Home, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55418 on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 10:00am, with half hour visitation prior from 9:30am - 10:00am. A full military ceremony and burial will follow immediate after the service at 11:15am at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55450.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

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