John Nelson, 80
John Nelson, 80, of Maple Lake, Minn., passed away on Dec. 30, 2021, at his home from natural causes.
John was born in Williston, N.D., and raised in Hallock, Minn. His parents were of Swedish descent, he professed to understanding their Swedish language, and spoke a bit.
John was a proud Navy SEAL veteran, he served as hospital corpsman for the Navy and Deep Sea Diver on the UDT unit (underwater demolition team). Following his service in the military, John worked as an X-ray and lab technician at Kittson Memorial Hospital in Hallock, farmed for a bit, and then was the administrator of the nursing home in Hallock before becoming the administrator of the Annandale Care Center in 1982 to retirement in 2012.
He was humbly proud of the growth of the Annandale Care Center and Senior Living complex during his administration. He cared much for the residents, advocated for residents’ wellbeings as well as the staff and services to seniors.
John enjoyed life and many activities.
As a young man, he played for the Hallock hockey team that went to state, he followed the North Stars, and shared stories of playing hockey locally and across the Canadian border.
John was a very good mechanic, often tinkering, repairing or building something, many suggested he could fix anything.
He enjoyed hunting and skiing with friends and riding his Harley. He traveled many miles.
John had earned his black belt in Taekwondo, loved sailing, scuba diving, and the Caribbean water.
John was a loving, giving man, with a great sense of humor, a grand teacher, and great storyteller.
John is survived by: his loving partner, Kathleen Schmidt; a sister, Melva Gasparic; former spouse, Marian Nelson; and two daughters, Kim Anderson and Kelly Berscheit (Gary); four grandchildren, BreeAnna Anderson, Reilly Anderson, Mikki Ahsenmacher (Brett), Corey Berscheit; one great-grandchild, ShaiAnne; and several nieces and nephews. He was looking forward to meeting his newest grandchild due in January.
John was preceded in death by: his parents, and older brother, Robert.
John donated his body for science to the University of Minnesota Medical School Anatomy Bequest Program. He did not want a formal memorial service. The family asks that you light a candle or say a prayer, tell a joke or show an act of loving kindness to a senior in honor of John.
