Warren Q. Nelson, Sr.

Warren Q. Nelson Sr., 92, of Boelus peacefully passed away after a long and fruitful life Thursday, August 19, 2021, with his family by his side, at Good Samaritan Society in Ravenna.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Dannebrog. The Rev. Sheri Lodel will officiate. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul. Burial will be in the Loup Fork Cemetery near Boelus. Military honors will be provided by the Schipman-Mogen American Legion Post 201. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting the family.

Warren was born at the family farm in rural Dannebrog on the dining room table to Walter and Lily (Boesen) Nelson on May 26, 1929, weighing in at 11 pounds 10 ounces.

He first attended country school and graduated from Boelus High School in 1946 as salutatorian of his class. In October 1950, Warren enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served domestically as well as overseas in countries such as Turkey, Greece, France, and Scotland.

Warren also attended law school in Rhode Island because his specialized training was in the legal department. He performed court reporting, investigation of civilian claims against the Air Force and was defense counsel for Air Force personnel.

Warren met a lovely English girl named Lilian Potter and soon they were married on Nov. 23, 1958. From this union their three children, Jack, Melody and Warren Jr., were a family. Lilian passed away on Dec. 9, 1982.

He may have retired from the Air Force in October 1970 after 20 years of service, but that didn't stop him from doing works he loved.

Warren and his brother, Lyle, became partners in War-Ly Acres, a dairy farm and ranch, as well as farming corn in the local area. Then, in 1974, he purchased the old gas station in Boelus. It was struck by lightning on April 1, 1978, and was heavily damaged. So, Warren built a large, three-service bay service station called Nelson's Petrol Shop to serve the community. His ace mechanic was Melvin Nelson, who could fix anything. Work was also done by Al Simmons, the young lube, tire and tank wagon extraordinaire, and, of course, Adolph, the man up front. He loved running the Petrol Shop and selling used cars there so much he always said that he couldn't wait to get back in the morning after locking up for the night.

Warren and Lyle also bought the Boelus High School building in 1980 so they both would have plenty of room to work on and display antique and classic cars, his passion in life.

He enjoyed swap meets and loved going to auctions. Lilian and Warren enjoyed evenings out with dinners and dancing with Lyle and Jayne.

Warren is survived by his son, Warren Nelson Jr., and his wife, Sharalyn, of Chapman; a daughter, Melody Schlattmann, and her husband, Bruce of Grand Island; three grandchildren: Klayton, Jennifer and Bryan; two great-grandchildren, Alaina and Inara; as well as niece Sally and nephews Melvin, Jack, and Mark.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lilian; a son, Jack; his brother, Lyle; and a sister, Lois Lehman.
 

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