Richard J. Nelson

DEFOREST- Richard J. Nelson "Speed" "Sailor", age 94, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, of congestive heart failure. He was born on Jan. 10, 1921, the son of John H. and Marcella Nelson, on a train to Chicago, that earned him the nick name, "Speed". Richard grew up in Madison with many talents. He played the harmonica at a young age and learned to play many instruments over the years. Richard was in the Navy from 1941-1945 and served as a Chief Petty Officer and was also a hard hat diver and a machinist in WWII. He continued to be active in the reserves for over 30 years. Richard worked at Gisholt in Madison and became friends with Walter Franke. He then met Kathryn Franke and they were married from 1950-1980, together they had six children. He was a carpenter and owned his own business, Merit Sales. They lived on Madison's East side and later moved to the DeForest area where he worked as a carpenter for the Mendota Mental Health Complex for over 20 years, retiring in 1984. Richard was also a musician in a band called The Hillside Ramblers. He was a hunter, fisherman and sportsman. Richard enjoyed motorcycle riding and went on many road trips with his brothers-in-law, cousins and friends. As they got older, his sons joined the cycle trips for many Candy Ass biker trips. In the early 1990's, Richard started going to Rendezvous'. His camp name was "Sailor". He enjoyed throwing tomahawks and black powder shooting. He won many competitions at various Rendezvous' in Texas, OKlahoma, Arkansas and Wisconsin. His family attended several of these with him. Richard kept a trailer home at a campground in Milam, Texas, and he enjoyed many winters there. His family accompanied him to visit the south for the last couple of years. Richard is survived by six children, Susan (Stuart) Thomas, Holly (Joe) Moreth, Tim (Agnes Nellen) Nelson, Rod (Christina) Nelson, Nancy (Darryl) Massey and Bonnie Nelson; five grandchildren, Matt (Nancyanna) Thomas, Kara Thomas, Melissa Massey (Corey Patterson), Rylan Nelson and Reanah Nelson; two sisters-in-law, Florence Franke and Marilyn Franke Lemens; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Kathryn Nelson; and a sister, Marcella. Funeral Services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens with military rites conducted. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. A special thank you to the VA nurses for all their wonderful care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420