Lewis O. Nelson

Lewis O. Nelson passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2013, at home of natural causes. He was born in Billings on March 18, 1923, to Lewis and Minnie Nelson. He celebrated his 90th birthday this March with a party held in his honor attended by family and friends.

Lew attended grade school and high school in Columbus, graduating in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy and served from February 1943 until his honorable discharge as a 2nd Class Signalman Petty Officer in February 1946. He shared many stories of his time aboard ship during World War II. He attended the University of Montana from 1946 through 1950. He met his wife Betty Lou Alex in December 1948 and they were married on Sept. 11, 1949, in Townsend. She preceded him in death in 1995. He married Eunice Johnson on Oct. 19, 1996.

Lew worked in the building supply business from 1950 through 1982. During those years he worked for the W.P. Fuller Paint Company (1950-1958), Reserve Street Home Center (1958-1975) and Wright Lumber Co. (1975-1982). After a five-year retirement he went to work as the custodian for St. Paul Lutheran Church for the next 6 1/2 years.

He was a longtime member of the Hellgate Elks Lodge 383, Sons of Norway and St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was very proud of his Lutheran heritage and would prefer memorials to be sent to St. Paul Lutheran, 202 Brooks, Missoula, MT 59801, in lieu of flowers.

Lew enjoyed many years of fun and relaxation at his summer cabin on Johnson Creek near Swan Lake in northwestern Montana. He was a handyman, avid Griz fan (just recently giving up his football and basketball season tickets!), loved to garden and grow flowers and was especially gifted with the ability to paint, a talent he discovered late in life. His watercolors are on the walls of many family members and friends who can now look at those lovely paintings and recall fond memories of time with Lew.

Lew is survived by his wife Eunice, whose love and care helped him through the last few difficult months. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Jay Getz of Missoula and son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Irene Nelson of Missoula; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jayce Getz and Heekyoung Hahn and their daughters, Angela and Adsila of North Carolina, Joel and Kyla Getz of Helena, Kayla Nelson and Alysha Nelson of Missoula. His brother Edward Nelson preceded him in death in 2009. Lew is also survived by Eunice's children and grandchildren, Linda and Ken Tromsness, Kimberly, Pablo and Michael; Allen and Kathleen Ormesher, Amanda, Cody, Adam, Sami; Gail and Dick Peters, Chris Ormesher and Brooklyn and several nieces, nephews and family members and many friends in the community.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks in Missoula with a reception immediately following. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Rest in peace, Papa! We love you and will miss you!

Arrangements are under the direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory

Read Lewis Nelson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.