Howard D. “Howie” Nelson, age 92 of River Falls, Wis., died on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, surrounded by his family at the River Falls Area Hospital. Howard was born the son of Marvin and Evelyn (Buckner) Nelson on Oct. 27, 1931, in Ellsworth, Wis. He grew up in the Trimbelle and Beldenville area. Howie graduated from the River Falls High School class of 1949. He attended classes at UWRF before enlisting in the US Navy in 1949. He then served his country in the US Air Force from 1951–1953.
On Dec. 28, 1952, Howie was married to Arlene Graham in Albion, Penn. The new couple made their home in River Falls, Wis. and were married 60 years. Howie worked as a lab technician at 3M, retiring in 1990. He was a board member of the Greenwood Cemetery Association, serving as president for 13 years and served on the River Falls City Council for 10 years. He was highly active in the American Legion. He was a member of Fletcher-Pechacek Post 121 in River Falls where he served as Post Commander for six years and was on the Honor Squad. He also served as District Vice Commander, District Commander, State Vice Commander, and District Chaplain through the years. Howie ran the clock for a number of years for RFHS football games, was the first clock operator for UWRF Hockey and spent 15 years operating the clock for UWRF Football. He organized and established the River Falls Youth Hockey program in 1967, which at the time, was the first youth hockey program in western Wisconsin. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Wis Amateur Hockey Association. Howie established the River Falls Youth Baseball program in 1968. For 16 years, his teams competed in the prestigious “Stars of Tomorrow” baseball tournament held in La Crosse, Wis, winning three championships, several other top four finishes and sportsmanship trophies. He was inducted into the Wildcat Hall of Fame in 2012. Howie played softball into his 60’s, enjoyed performing with the musical “4 Oaks,” and attended a great number of sporting events for his children and grandchildren.
He was a competitive, strong willed, patriotic man who was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin, and Evelyn Nelson; wife, Arlene Nelson; and brother Charles Nelson. Howard is survived by his children, Jeff Nelson, Scott Nelson, Craig (Kathy) Nelson, Gary (Shelley) Nelson, Brian (Lisa) Nelson, Jennifer (Greg) O’Malley; grandchildren, Adam (Katie) Nelson, Michelle Nelson, Brady Nelson, Carly Nelson, Alec Nelson, Stacia (Nick) Johnson, Darin (Karen) Nelson, Tara (Bryan) Kochendorfer, Jake Nelson, Tiffany (Kyle) Johnson, Ashley Nelson, Tyler Nelson, Jessie O’Malley, Katie O’Malley, Colin O’Malley, Anne O’Malley, Abby (Kade) Stees, Molly O’Malley, Joseph O’Malley; great-grandchildren, Brooks, Kori, Kieran, Camden, Teegan, Jameson, Leticia, Cal, Max, Taya, Tessley, Koyer; other relatives and many friends. We would like to thank the staff at Well Haven and the River Falls Area Hospital for the wonderful, compassionate care provided to Howie. A funeral service was held on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church (545 Apollo Road, River Falls, WI.) Visitation was held on Sunday, Oct.13, 2024, from 5-8 p.m. at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St., River Falls, WI) and on Monday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls with military honors provided by the Fletcher-Pechacek American Legion Post 121 Honor Squad. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
