David J. Nelson

David Joseph Nelson, age 88, of Cannon Falls, died peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, September 6, 2025.

Dave was born on April 4, 1937, at his home near McGregor, Minnesota, the oldest son of Joseph and Ella (Catlin) Nelson. He graduated from McGregor High School in 1955 and entered the U.S. Army in 1956, where he was a tank driver, serving in Germany for 18 months, and in the Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged in 1962. Dave graduated from Bemidji State in 1962 with a double major in Mathematics and Biology, as well as coaching.

Dave and Astrid Nelson were married in 1959 and welcomed Michael, Rebecca, and Steven into their family. They later divorced.

Dave taught in Lake Bronson, Minnesota and coached basketball, until joining the Cannon Falls School System in 1964, where he taught mathematics, science, and computer science for 34 years. He coached cross country, boys and girls basketball, and the newly formed girls track team as well as drove bus.

“Coach Nellie” was proud of his girls' accomplishments but was especially overjoyed bringing home the first ever State Second Place Team Trophy – that being done by a single member, Laurie Hernke. At his retirement from classroom teaching in 1994, he continued coaching track 7 more years, still loving his job, but it was time to concentrate on the ever-growing tax preparation business which was also his love for the entire 51 years he did them, enjoying his many clients and the friendships he made.

Dave married Linda in 1977, acquiring not only a wife, but her children: Julie, Jodi, and Jeff Fregien as the “Brady Bunch” was begun. Unfortunately, there was no housekeeper, Alice, who was included in this deal, but rather his huge, adventurous, hunting dog, Freckles (who loved the aroma coming from the bakery and had a great curiosity to sniff it out if possible!)

Always needing to be busy, he had done a variety of jobs ranging from road construction, working in the canning factory, cutting pulpwood for paper mills, was a Gandy Dancer on the railroad, and painted buildings. He loved gardening.

Dave and Linda were active members of First Congregational Church , UCC where he served on several boards, taught Sunday School and was a member of the men’s group who went annually to the Boundary Waters on fishing trips. Dave had a deep faith in God and loved being in nature.

Dave was an active member of the Jaycees and a Charter Member of the Cannon Falls Lions Club, active for 50 years.

When he’d relax long enough, he enjoyed fishing, reading Westerns, bird hunting, trapping, camping, bowling, pitching softball, playing cribbage and watching wildlife with Linda from their deck. He always regretted missing so many of the kids' events because of sports schedules, but tried hard to get to the grandkids' special activities. He loved to play with them and read “The Wide-Mouthed Frog” to them and the great-grandkids in his very animated style. As much as he loved to joke around, he was a very serious crossword puzzle and Sudoku solver.

He will be remembered for his wit, as well as his kindness and caring ways. Dave was a “gentle” gentleman and will be missed so very much.

He is survived by his soulmate of nearly 49 years, Linda, children Michael Nelson, Rebecca Nelson, Steven (Sandi Bondhus) Nelson, his bonus children Julie (Kenneth) Balfanz, Jodi (Darin) Lundell, Jeff (Nichole) Fregien, grandchildren Sierrah Nelson, Lukas Pontoppidan, Alex (Jennifer) Lundell, Reid (Kalli) Lundell, Cole (fiancé Faith Befort) Lundell. Patrick (Madi) Balfanz, Ryan (fiance Emma Weber) Balfanz, Whitney (Cody) Howe, Ashley (Tyler) Steward; bonus grands: Halle and Zoey Speikers, great-grandsons Zakary Howe and Camren Lundell; sister Emmy Luella (Roger) Moore, brother Johnnie (Christella) Nelson, sisters-in-law Sandi Nelson and Darnella Zachrison.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Henry Keller and mother-in-law Evelyn Keller George, his grandchildren Kenyan Nelson, Zachary Lundell, and Tanner Lundell, and his brother Edward Nelson..

Dave touched the lives of many in the community, students in classrooms and sports, tax clients, church family, medical staff, and most of all he strived to unite our family as one, which we are.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Grand O2 Event Center, 32057 64th Ave, Cannon Falls. MN 55009. The visitation will be on Thursday evening, Sept 18, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, also at the Grand O2 Event Center, as well as one hour prior to the service  on Friday..