Obituary of Virgil Nelson

Virgil Robert Nelson passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the age of 92, at Oak Park Assisted Living facility in Roseburg, Oregon. He was born August 14, 1923, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, a Norwegian community, to Gilbert and Mabel Nelson, where that was their main language spoken. Virgil didn't learn English until he started attending school. At a young age the family moved to Southern, North Dakota, where he grew up during the depression years. Times were hard and made harder with the death of his mother when he was 11 years old. He developed his strong work ethic at this time milking cows, breaking horses, and doing all kinds of farm work. He began to learn the mechanical skills he used all his life at this time, rebuilding his first engine at the age of 9 years old. Virgil always enjoyed speed and terrorizing the locals on his Indian motorcycle. On December 13, 1943, Virgil married a violet eyed beauty named Leila Mae Stewart, the love of his life! With the US involvement in WWII, Virgil enlisted in the Navy. He served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. San Pablo. Upon being honorably discharged, they settled in Eugene, OR, where they built their home. He was employed at Millers Dehydrator where they built equipment for drying nuts. They had 3 children in the years to follow; Verna, Dale, and Loris. They grew up in an ideal wonderful family setting on Pershing Street with cousins living short distances away. Virgil was active in many organizations. He was a member of the Bethel/Danebo Fire Department and the Moose and Eagles Lodges. Virgil next worked as a millwright for U.S. Plywood and then spent the remainder of his career working in the steam plant at E.W.E.B.. During this time, Virgil had his own business on the side called Nelson's Tune Up, where he did just about any kind of work that needed to be done on a vehicle. You could always find him in his garage after his regular work day at the mill or EWEB and also on weekends. He became the mechanic for our extended family, friends, and neighbors. Virgil was a person who could do multiple crafts. He was skilled as a certified welder, an electrician, a machinist, a plumber, a woodworker, and could fix just about anything that might be broken. Upon his retirement, Virgil enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing, especially the high lakes near the property at La Pine. He also enjoyed playing cards and going dancing with Leila. In later years, they became accomplished quilters at their church, Emmaus Lutheran, where Virgil also did many maintenance tasks. He is survived by his sister Doris of Park River, ND, and a brother Bob of Rapid City, SD, and sister-in-law Isabel Thomson of Devils Lake, ND; his children Verna Ward of Roseburg, Dale and Carmen Nelson of Victorville, CA, Loris Stokes of Roseburg; 6 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, 5 brothers, grandson Erich Teitzel, and his wife of 70 years Leila. A celebration of life will be held at Lane Memorial Funeral Home, 5300 W. 11th Ave., Eugene, on March 30, 2016. Viewing will be at 1:00 p.m. with services at 2:00 p.m. Burial to follow. The family would like to express our deepest "Thank You" to his staff at Oak Park and his in home health nurses who lovingly cared for him. Remembrances to Emmaus Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com