James E. "Jim" Nelson

James E. “Jim” Nelson, 71, of St. Paul, died Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at his home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Thomas Clark will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Peters Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Nelson was born on Aug. 18, 1939, on a farm northwest of St. Paul, the son of Ellis and Florence (Stahr) Nelson. He was united in marriage to Sondra J. Lucht on June 7, 1958, at the Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. He is survived by his wife, Sondra J. Nelson; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Terry Kosmicki of St. Paul and Andrea and Russell Sutherland of St. Paul; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Karen McCord and Bev and George Dethlefs, all of St. Paul. He also leaves to cherish his memory, four grandchildren, Krystal Kosmicki, Ashley Kosmicki, Clark Kosmicki and Rilye Sutherland, all of St. Paul. Jim grew up on the family farm and attended District No. 4 Howard County rural school and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1958. He and Sondra lived throughout Nebraska while he worked for Missouri Valley in road construction. In the early 60’s they returned to St. Paul where they lived on an acreage south of St. Paul. Jim worked at the St. Paul Co-op Grain Association for 47 years, having just retired from the elevator this past August. He also fed cattle and goats for many years. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Jim enjoyed fishing and betting on the ponies and dogs. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell stories and jokes and giving people nicknames. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids: the twins – “Dumb Bunnies” and Pedro and Padro. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sandi Scheer; niece, Tonia McCord; nephew, Troy McCord; and his in-laws, Buck and Blondie Lucht. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice.