Vern Nelson, age 87, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on February 20, 2024.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM with visitation time from 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Thomas Walker will preside.
Livestreaming will be available at St. Michael Catholic Church’s website https://stmichael-pl.org/ and by clicking on the “Mass and Services” tab.
Vern will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in Morgan, MN at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
Vern was born September 28, 1936 in Brown County, MN to Thomas and Mabel (Groff) Nelson. He grew up in Springfield, MN with 9 siblings and worked with several farmers throughout high school. He graduated from Morgan High School in 1954. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1954 and was honorably discharged in October 1958. He went on to study auto mechanics at Dunwoody Institute in a 2-year program. He married his wife Dorothy (Heiling) of Morgan, MN on January 10, 1959. They lived in Minneapolis for several years while they welcomed their first two children, Susan and Jeff, and welcomed their third child, Randy, the next year. They lived in Bloomington and Vern worked as a mechanic in Minneapolis for many years. In 1970, they welcomed their fourth child, Jodi. Vern continued to work as a mechanic in Shakopee and Richfield until he retired. Throughout his life, Vern spent a lot of time in his garage, working on cars and snowmobiles. He had a very adventurous spirit; he enjoyed snowmobiling and boating with his children, as well as time at their lake home. Vern went on many road trips and camping trips with his family; he and Dorothy eventually made it to all 50 U.S. states. He also loved going on casino trips with his family, as well as their monthly card club get-togethers. Throughout the years, some of his favorite pastimes included watching westerns and listening to old-time music. When his grandchildren were welcomed into the world, Vern and Dorothy would host them for sleepovers and they went on many camping trips. Vern was also a big supporter of his grandchildren in their school activities such as soccer, football, and wrestling. In his later years, Vern was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and rarely skipped watching their games on T.V. Family gatherings and conversations with loved ones always brightened his spirit. Vern was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Prior Lake since 1972. He will be dearly remembered for his love of his family.
Vern is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; children, Susan, Jeff (Maggie), Randy (Joyce), and Jodi; grandchildren, Andy (Emma), Marcus (Raquel), Luke, Marissa (Wyatt), Emily, Bradley, Jon, Nick, and Julie; great-grandchildren, Elijah and Evan, with a third arriving soon; siblings, Delmar, Dave, Gladys, Ed, Arlene, and Wally; and other loving relatives and friends.
Vern was preceded in death by parents, Thomas and Mabel; and siblings, Marvin, MaryAnn, and Ron.
