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David G. Nelson

David G. Nelson, 78, passed away in Eau Claire, Wis., on Sunday, April 12, 2015, following a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Davis was born May 27, 1936, to Pastor Carl and Olga (Norstegaard) Nelson, in Epping.

He graduated from Dakota Lutheran High School, in Minot, in 1954, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of sergeant first class before being honorably discharged to pursue higher education. David earned a BS from Minot State University in Minot, an MS in audiology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and a PhD in audiology from the University of Kansas Medical Center.

David met the love of his life, Beverly, while studying at MSU and they married in 1965. They welcomed a daughter in 1968 and a son in 1970.

Upon earning his PhD in 1970, David accepted a position as assistant professor of audiology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. When his children kept asking why all of their friends had grandparents and they didn’t, he moved his young family back to North Dakota, accepting a position as professor of audiology at Minot State University. During his 17 years at MSU, he served as director of deaf education. He was also president of the university faculty senate twice. Once he and Beverly were empty nesters, they moved back to their beloved Wisconsin, where he spent the remainder of his career as professor of audiology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Community service was an important value to David, as exemplified by his lifetime membership in the Sertoma Club and his vice presidency on Grace Lutheran Foundation. He also did grant writing, fund raising and cooking meals for people in homeless shelters.

David remained active in his church and with the Eau Claire Male Chorus until the time of his passing. He also enjoyed woodworking, playing golf and traveling to North Carolina to see his grandchildren. David’s passion was cooking and baking for two to 600 people; his caramel rolls were the hit of the male chorus retreats and they were always an early sell-out at the annual Saving Grace church bazaar. He finally relinquished his cherished recipe to a few trusted friends so his caramel roll legacy will live on.

David is survived by: his wife, Beverly (Traub); daughter, Laurel of San Diego; son Greg (Nicole) and grandchildren, Olivia and Nicolas, all of Wilmington, N.C.; sisters, Eunice Sanders and Carol (Al) Samuelson, both of Bismarck; brother, James (Mary) of Plymouth, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by: his parents.

A memorial service will be: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at Saving Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wis.

Interment will be: at a later date at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan.

Visitation will be: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel in Altoona, Wis.

In lieu of flowers: please send memorials to Saving Grace Lutheran Church, Eau Claire.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.