Obituaries

December 17, 1929 to September 11, 2010

WINAMAC - Arnold Victor "Arnie" Nelson, 80, of 801 East 75 North, Winamac (formerly of Griffith), died at 1:38 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11,  at Clare Bridge of Valparaiso, Valparaiso.

He was born Dec. 17, 1929, in Crosby, ND, to the late Nels L. and Nancy Nelson. He married Marlene J. Bensch on June 28, 1957 in Nashua, MN. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Mark W. (Diann) Nelson, Schererville, Son & Daughter-in-law
Matt L. (Christine) Nelson, Kouts, Son & Daughter-in-law
Kay A. (Darrin Doan) Nelson, Elmhurst, IL, Daughter & Son-in-law
Jeanne Nelson, Portage, Daughter-in-law
David M. (Keri) Nelson, Grandson
Heather R. (Mike) Doane Granddaughter
Ken Nelson, Grandson
Kim Nelson, Granddaughter
Jared B. Nelson-Doan, Grandson
Spencer M. Nelson-Doan, Grandson
Andrew Bruce Nelson, Great-Grandson
Isabelle Doane, Great-Granddaughter
Calvin Nelson, Barrett, MN, Brother
Nels W. (Mary) Nelson, Minneapolis, MN, Brother & Sister-in-law

He was preceded in death by:
Hulda Nelson, Stepmother
Bruce Arnold Nelson, Son
Roger Nelson, Brother
Edna Willard, Aunt

Mr. Nelson was born in Crosby, N.D. and lived in Plentywood, Mont. during his childhood. In his early teens he moved to Minnesota where he graduated from Barrett High School. He served in the U.S. Army and upon discharge took a job at the Soo Line Railroad. His career then took him to Texas and Michigan to serve on the U.S. Border Patrol for over 10 years. 

He next career advancement moved his family to Indiana where he worked as officer-in-charge of the Immigration and Naturalization Department of Indiana. In 1983, after 30 years of service, he retired from the U.S. Department of Justice, Organized Crime and Racketeering Section. He was very active in the VFW Post #1728 in Winamac. He was member of the F.O.P in Hammond. He was a past president of the Izack Walton League in Griffith.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be 15 11 a.m., Friday (Sept. 17), at the funeral home with Pastor Richard Beck officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.