Norval Nelson

Norval Nelson, age 82 of Burnsville, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 9, 2017.

Funeral service will be 7:00 pm, Friday evening, January 13, 2017 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior. Private interment will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge.

Norval Karsten Nelson was born February 28, 1934 in Breckenridge, Minnesota to Karsten and Fern (Hodgson) Nelson. He grew up in Breckenridge where he graduated from high school in 1952. He started his educational journey at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where he studied music. After the unexpected death of his father in 1955, he wanted to be closer to home so he attended Concordia College in Moorhead to finish his degree. He was married to LaDonna Floy Barwald and the couple lived in Appleton, Wisconsin where he served as a band director and adopted their son Mike when he was 2 weeks old. They later moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota so he could pursue a degree in Counseling and Guidance at the University of North Dakota. They moved to the Twin Cities, where Norval enjoyed 32 years as a Bellman at the Radisson Hotel in Bloomington. Nearing his retirement, he worked a few other jobs including security guard at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. He continued to stay active in his second passion in life, serving the local church body. He was a certified Stephen Minister and was very connected with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Celebration Church as well as the Valley Ridge Senior Living Chapel, where he resided for the last 3 ½ years of his life. He loved music and was able to play most any instrument but really excelled on the piano and baritone. Norval was a sweet and gentle man. He was beloved by many and was one of the most caring and comforting people you could ever meet.

Norval is survived by his son Mike; sister Nana Savoy; grandchildren Jordanna and Justin; nieces Tana Nelson and Juanita Nelson as well as 6 great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Karsten and Fern; nephew Mike Nelson and uncles, Mearl and Norval Hodgson.