IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Maynard
Nelson
November 13, 1930 – March 14, 2015
Obituary
On Saturday, March 14, Maynard Louis Nelson, age 84, left this earth and went to meet his Lord.
Maynard was born and raised in Britton, South Dakota. He graduated from high school in Britton, attended Concordia College, Northern State University and graduated from Denver University. He was president of his fraternity and Cadet Colonel of the ROTC where he received his commissions in the United States Army. He served his country for 26 years being stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky; Ft. Carson, Colorado; Augsburg, Germany with the 24th infantry Division; Ft. Benning, Georgia, Eastern Washington University as an ROTC Instructor; Da Nang, Vietnam; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, the Pentagon, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, Soc Trang, Vietnam, Arlington Hall Station in Arlington, Virginia and then back to the pentagon where he served in the Directorate of Foreign Liaison in charge of VIP Tours until his retirement on May 1, 1979.
Maynard possessed a winning smile, a gregarious personality, and a cheerful twinkle in his eye. He showed equal respect for everyone and never failed to recognize the value of their individual contributions and thanked them. As an ROTC Instructor he was remembered by the cadets for his counsel as they planned their careers.
Maynard's legacy includes his 26 years of service to his country, the resolute and upbeat attitude he displayed as he fought his 24 year final battle with the ravages of motor neuron disease, a loving and loyal family as well as his host of friends.
He leaves behind Joyce, his beloved wife of 63 years; his three children, Kathy Godwin, Larry (Denise) Nelson, and Eric Nelson; five grandchildren, Dan (Kim) Godwin, Heather (Mike) Kearns, Ryan (Jacque) Godwin, Nicole (Justin) Palmer, Aaron Nelson and seven great grandchildren, Charlie, Walker and Corbin Godwin, Connor and Katherine Kearns, and Henry and Palmer Godwin.
Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Emma Nelson; his mother-in-law, Clara Lea Kriesel Mortensen and his son-in-law, Dan Godwin.
Memorial services will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans of South Dakota and the ALS Foundation.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.
Maynard was born and raised in Britton, South Dakota. He graduated from high school in Britton, attended Concordia College, Northern State University and graduated from Denver University. He was president of his fraternity and Cadet Colonel of the ROTC where he received his commissions in the United States Army. He served his country for 26 years being stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky; Ft. Carson, Colorado; Augsburg, Germany with the 24th infantry Division; Ft. Benning, Georgia, Eastern Washington University as an ROTC Instructor; Da Nang, Vietnam; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, the Pentagon, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, Soc Trang, Vietnam, Arlington Hall Station in Arlington, Virginia and then back to the pentagon where he served in the Directorate of Foreign Liaison in charge of VIP Tours until his retirement on May 1, 1979.
Maynard possessed a winning smile, a gregarious personality, and a cheerful twinkle in his eye. He showed equal respect for everyone and never failed to recognize the value of their individual contributions and thanked them. As an ROTC Instructor he was remembered by the cadets for his counsel as they planned their careers.
Maynard's legacy includes his 26 years of service to his country, the resolute and upbeat attitude he displayed as he fought his 24 year final battle with the ravages of motor neuron disease, a loving and loyal family as well as his host of friends.
He leaves behind Joyce, his beloved wife of 63 years; his three children, Kathy Godwin, Larry (Denise) Nelson, and Eric Nelson; five grandchildren, Dan (Kim) Godwin, Heather (Mike) Kearns, Ryan (Jacque) Godwin, Nicole (Justin) Palmer, Aaron Nelson and seven great grandchildren, Charlie, Walker and Corbin Godwin, Connor and Katherine Kearns, and Henry and Palmer Godwin.
Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Emma Nelson; his mother-in-law, Clara Lea Kriesel Mortensen and his son-in-law, Dan Godwin.
Memorial services will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans of South Dakota and the ALS Foundation.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.
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