Ralph Nelson

Ralph was born in Longmont, Colorado. Parents were August and Freda Nelson. They were farmers during the depression. A friend of his father from the Union Pacific Shops in Cheyenne, Wyoming, called and told my dad he had a job for him. We moved to Cheyenne where Ralph and his sister spent their school years. At 18, Ralph was drafted for World War II; he spent 2 1/2 of which two years were spent in the Pacific. After the war was over he returned to Colorado to farm.

Ralph's occupation after war was working 24 years for Minneapolis Moline Farm Machinery Company, now called White Farm Equipment. This is when he met his wife, Bertha May Smith, where she was working as secretary.

He spent the first 5 years in the parts department, 10 years on the road as a Service Supervisor (Factory Rep). During that time they lived in Salt Lake City, Canyon City, Garden City, Kanas, and Hopkins, Minnesota.

The next 9 years he was the District Service Manager for the Southern District. He retired after 24 years, but not for long.

After a year of vacation, he went to work for Jefferson County doing county building maintenance for 2 years. He transferred over to the Sheriff department and worked for the Sheriff at the jail for 13 years.

He then retired and left Denver; moving to Branson, Missouri for 2 1/2 years. Ralph and Bertha moved to Berthoud, they have owned their home in Berthoud for 20 years.

Ralph's hobbies and interests are camping with their first trailer since 1952. They also enjoyed fishing and sightseeing. With Colorado's cold winters, Bertha and Ralph often wintered in Yuma, Arizona for almost 12 years. It was important to always stay busy.

Ralph is survived by his brother, Wayne (Cynthia) Nelson; along with numerous nieces and nephews, and his close friends, Judy and George Davis.

He is preceded in death by his parents, August and Freda Nelson; his loving wife of 60+ years, Bertha May Nelson (Smith); brother, Wilber Nelson; sister, Dorothy Dobbin, and brother, Donald Nelson.

All the memories of Ralph will forever be remembered. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America: http://www.alzfdn.org/ContributetoAFA/makeadonation.html

and Agape Hospice of Colorado.