Kenneth D. Nelson

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 2:00 PM Friday, January 31, 2014 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, MNVISITATION : 1:00 PM Friday, January 31, 2014 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, prior to service. KENNETH D. NELSON August 30, 1932 - January 21, 2014 Kenneth Dewain Nelson, age 81, of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Dodge Center, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at the St. Joseph"s Hospital in Park Rapids with his loved ones at his side. Ken was born on August 30, 1932 in Minneapolis to Curtis Nelson and Joyce Sackett. He grew up in West Concord, MN were he was raised by his grandparents, Beatrice and Edward Sackett. He attended public schools in Dodge Center, MN. At 18 years of age, Ken enlisted in the Unted States Airforce. After the military he began a career in trucking that spanned over 45 years. Ken was united in marriage to Hortencia Guerra Ramos in El Paso, Texas. He made his home in Dodge Center, MN throughout most of his life until they retired to the Park Rapids area in 1993. As a young man, Ken enjoyed racing and building stock and sprint cars. He raced with friends and family throughout the region. Ken was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed fishing the Park Rapids area lakes with his son, Mike and best friend George Paine. Each fall he looked forward to hunting deer and pheasants for many years. Above all, Ken will be remembered for his devotion to his wife and soul mate, Hortencia. Ken will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Hortencia of Park Rapids; his son, Mike Smith of Owatonna; his two granddaughters, Alyssa and Krista Smith of Owatonna, MN; his aunt, Eunice Sackett of Dodge Center, MN; as well as numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, his two uncles: Lloyd and Floyd Sackett, and his aunt Dorothy.Services will be held at 2 PM, Friday, January 31, 2014 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Rev. Art Wood officiating. Special musical tributes will be played from the Jones-Pearson cd library. The urn bearers will be his granddaughters: Alyssa and Krista Smith. The honorary urn bearer will be his good friend, George Paine. Military honors will be provided be Star of the North Marines Corps League. A time of visitation will be held beginning one hour prior to the service.