Charles Nelson

For Charles Burton Nelson, nothing was more important than family. An avid fisherman, hunter and golfer, Charles was also a man of many skills and talents, a real Mr. Fix-It. But no matter what he had planned for the day, his family always came first. Charles lived each day with wonderful enthusiasm, sure that each day was the best day of his life. With his upbeat personality, and great love for his family, he made it a best day for all those around him. Even in 1925, Lansing, Michigan was an automotive hub. With the Olds Motor Vehicle Company leading the way, Lansing was a bustling city on the grow. For Carl Elmer and Naomi (Straton) Nelson, life in this busy little city was good. Carl worked as an accountant while Naomi readied the home for the birth of their first child. On a cold, blustery December 2, 1925, Charles Burton Nelson made his first appearance. It was a wonderful early Christmas present for his parents. When little sister Lorraine arrived, the Nelson family was complete. Charles grew up in Lansing and spent 13 summers enjoying the good life while staying at a relatives cottage on Higgins Lake, located in the middle of Michigans lower peninsula. Even as a young boy, family was important to Charles. He attended public school in Lansing, graduating from Lansing Eastern High School in 1943. While in high school, he played on the school football team, until a severly broken arm brought an end to his football career. The year 1943 found our country deeply engaged in World War II. Like many patriotic young men, Charles joined the Navy right after graduation. The USS Gendreau, a Buckley Class destroyer escort /anti-submarine warfare ship, became his home away from home, as he served his country in the South Pacific. With the end of the war, Charles returned to Lansing, and enrolled in Michigan State University, where he earned his BS degree in Electrical Engineering. But that is not all he earned. Also at MSU at this time was a young lady by the name of Lois Jelier. A cousin of her's had tried to arrange a blind date between Lois and Charles. Lois was not too interested, so a year went by before the two finally met. They found themselves in the same class and quickly struck up a friendship. After a year of dating and getting to know each other, Charles and Lois were married on August 19, 1950 in Muskegon. Charles always said meeting and marrying Lois was the best part of going to MSU. The young couple set up housekeeping in East Lansing while Lois finished her degree. Charles found work with the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan, on the east side of the state. However, the lure of the lakes and the beauty of the region on the western side brought them to Muskegon. Not able to find a job as an electrical engineer, Charles, with his many skills and talents, became a building contractor, building over 300 beautiful homes in the area. During his working career as building contractor he became President of the Home Builders Association and President of the Muskegon County Board of Realtors. Charles and Lois started a family of their own. They were the proud parents of three children, daughters Sandra and Sharon, and son Douglas. Charles was a hard worker but also knew how to relax and enjoy life. He loved to fish, especially if he was salmon fishing with his Uncle Bud and his brother-in-law Dick. In the winter, Charles, Uncle Bud and son Doug would take off on their snowmobiles. Sandra asked her father many times if she could go, but snowmobiling for Charles was for the guys. When not enjoying a day of fishing, Charles could often be found on a local golf course, usually the Muskegon Country Club, where he was a member. With his golfing buddies Bob Rector, Irv Feiber, George Dendrinos Colonel Winnick and Bud Racett, Charles was guaranteed a good day of golf. When the Mona Shores High School held a golfing fund raiser, Charles was right there, ready to play. He also enjoyed bow hunting and belonged to a hunting club. No matter the season, Charles always found something to do. But Sundays were set aside for church and family activities. He was an active member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church and served many terms as Council President, Council member and Building Chairman. The whole family enjoyed gatherings at the family cottage on West Lake. The cottage had been in Loiss family and became an integral part of their life together. Charles retired in 1986 and he and Lois began spending their winters in Panama City, Florida, away from the cold and gray of Michigan winters. His daughter Sandy had moved to Cape Hatteras, on the coast of North Carolina, and he loved visiting her and enjoying the coast. Over the next years, Charles suffered 4 strokes, but never complained and never gave up. He eventually had to give up driving his car, so he became the best back seat driver imaginable. For the last 6 years, Charles had been homebound, but his enthusiasm for life never wavered. He had a keen sense of humor, which he used to brighten the days of those around him. With his every day is a good day attitude. Sadly, he passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2007. Surrounding himself with family and friends, Charles Nelson knew he was a man with many blessings. How fortunate we are that he shared those many blessings with us. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Mr. Charles B. Nelson, age 81, died Thursday, October 18, 2007. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lois; son, Douglas (Lorraine) Nelson of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Sandra Rosell of Frisco, NC, Sharon (Randy) Bylund of Muskegon; 5 grandchildren, PFC Kendell Kanaar, Megan Cannon, Brian Kanaar, Kaisey Rosell, Brooke Nelson; sister Lorraine Peterson of OR. Services will take place Monday, October 22, 2007, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Lewis Glick officiating. Visitation is Sunday, 2-4 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. For those wishing, memorials made be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit Charless personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.