Lawrence A. “Bud” Nelson, 79, of South 13th Street, Niles, died at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at his home, following an extended illness.

The family is gathering privately at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, in Niles, with the Rev. Jim L. Wilson, chaplain of Hospice at Home, officiating.

There will be no public visitation.

Full military honors will conclude the services by the American legion Post No. 51, Buchanan, with also an honor guard of the Niles City Fire Department.

He was born on May 6, 1930, in Pennock, Minn., to Henry Arthur and Pearl Eliza Mead.
He attended school in Minnesota, lived 25 years in California and has lived in Niles 25 years.

He served 33 years as a firefighter at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the United States Air Force.
He enjoyed fishing in area rivers and lakes, birdwatching, watching the Minnesota Vikings and NASCAR on television.

He loved the winter, especially the snow.

On Nov. 2, 1951, in Reno, Nev., he married Margaret (Groves) Nelson, who died on Nov. 24, 2000.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Roy Nelson.

Surviving family includes his children, twins, Marleen (Larry) Shroyer of Niles and Mike “Larry” (Terry) Nelson of Vacaville, Calif., and two sons, Ray Nelson of Tracy, Calif. and Dale (Gwen) Nelson of Niles; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Alice Madsen of Benson, Minn. and an uncle, William Nelson of Paynesville, Minn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles City Fire Department.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.