Obituary of Gerald Nelson

BIOGRAPHY NELSON ~ Gerald "Jock" Norman Nelson passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at the age of 76 years. Jock will be sadly missed by his wife Edie; three daughters: Debbie and Barry Kerr, Donna Nelson, Dee Nelson and fiancé Dave Eshleman; three grandchildren: Matt, Ryan and Heather; brother Martin; sister Mae; sister-in-law Marie Beaudry; brother-in-law Gary and Susan Fairbairn as well as numerous other relatives. The graveside service was held in the Marwayne Cemetery, Marwayne, Alberta on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Gerald Norman Nelson, or Jock to most people, entered the world on January 15, 1934 at the farm north of Marwayne. He was born to Jean and Cornelius Nelson with Mamie Van Camp acting as midwife. He has two older siblings, Mae and Martin, who have always referred to him as their 'baby brother'. He lived in the area all his life, with the exception of being away a few months at a time when he worked in other provinces. Jock met Edie, his future wife, in 1957, when Glenda Bystrom introduced them. Edie remembers herself and Glenda living in Vegreville and working at AGT and how Jock and Roy Hnatow would make numerous trips to visit the girls and all four became even closer friends. Fun times included lots of car rides together and many evenings at the movie theatre or drive-in. Westerns were always the best movies and you could never watch a John Wayne movie too many times. After dating for about three years, they were married August 6, 1960, where he gained not only a wife, but sister, Mary and brother, Gary - Edie's sister and brother. Jock left school at the young age of 14 and found his first job as "care taker" to Bill Giles draft horses. For $1.00 a day, he made sure they were bedded down in hay and not slippery straw. Throughout the years, he was always involved with horses either on the farm or driving down the road to check out Pete and Keri's or up to Eric Heathcote's. As a young man he worked in construction, joined Martin brushing in AB & BC and for many years worked in local garages and for farm Implement Company's where he made many friends. During these years he also raised cattle and grain farmed. Always the farmer at heart, in later years he was very proud of his radishes and tomato plants. When the 'city' raised women relatives from Scotland would visit, they always got a ride in the grain truck, combine and even drove the lawn tractor. Due to the fact that he left school at such a young age, he was proud that the next 2 generations have and will have university educations. He loved to read whether it was the newspaper, biographies or the latest novel from Oprah's book club. These were received as gifts as he couldn't be caught buying that on his own. Considering he was a man in his 70's and we are younger women, a lot of books were discussed and swapped between us. This last weekend, Donna was telling him about her latest best seller find, "I am Hutterite" about the life of a woman her age. Well, he really wanted that book and within hours had a copy in hand which Dee had started to read to him. Debbie remembers how just out of the blue one day that Dad had to tell her exactly where the Tring School used to be and where the teacher would sit at recess or to eat her lunch. Or how during the winter Dee was born, of the diesel furnace gelling off and how they all would start in their own beds but that by morning both girls would be curled up on either side of Dad to stay warm. Donna remembers a parent who would start water fights in the house completely out of the blue. There would be no quitting until everyone was soaked - nothing was missed and no mercy was given to the furniture walls - no where was safe to hide. Dee remembers one of the last times Jock was on a horse - she had saddled up Houston and gone into the garage only to return to find Jock on her horse. Letting her know that he'd 'work out the kinks and put her thru her paces'. Many a time that summer she'd turn around to find her horse 'stolen' and heading down the driveway. We all received driving lessons, long before it was legal - since he was driving through Edmonton at 14, why shouldn't we have our own "driver training" at an early age. He thought we should have that experience, but, because we were girls, the machinery, big truck, and tool box were off limits - unless it was under his supervision - as you might put something back out of place. Jock really loved his hockey - NHL hockey on TV meant quiet time in the house. And #99, "the great one" was not to be called "the great gruntsky". He would talk for weeks about the Oilers games in Edmonton that Barry had taken him to. Women and hockey usually did not go together in Jock's world - you could be present but your comments weren't really necessary. Recently there was an exception - when he told us about the night, just a week before in the hospital, Vancouver vs. Chicago, and how proud he was to have watched it with his granddaughter Heather. She must have been cheering for the right team! In speaking of sports, a few years back Jock had taken up "skunk broomball". This required a very determined baby skunk, the broom to sweep the garage and the tempting plate of cat food that was always there. This was repeated a few times that summer as there were 6 new baby pucks living at the end of the driveway. This sport was quite entertaining to watch but a bit smelly to Dad's favorite leather work boots. His close male friends were also his family. That "Englishman" crossed paths with Jock 50+ years ago - apologize for aging you Ed. Those 2 did a lot of fishing and "visiting" at the Hutterite colony together. He was not big on public social events, but was often "with Nohnychuk", "at Eric's", "in the garage with Fred" "visitin Pete", "talkin mechanics with Glen or the grandsons" or runnin into somebody at the post office, the elevator, car wash or on the back road home. He really enjoyed and respected his male company and recently was heard "talkin hockey" with Dave, in the hospital. In the last few years he had some breathing problems, but come branding time at the Kerr's he was right in there - helping out, opening gates or giving advice. His first real travel trip was as a 5 year old to Edmonton to meet the royal family, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Four of Jock's uncles immigrated from Denmark and Scotland and he always enjoyed driving to visit them. Often his mom Jean, Sister Mae, Edie and us girls would go to Sundre, Kaslo or Penticton and pick fresh fruit, swim in the rivers and lakes and get to know another generation. He liked to take driving holidays and talked many times about the Alaska Highway trip with Glen and fishing for trout in the cold mountain streams. Dad was more a quiet man but kind and compassionate - a true animal lover, especially where cats were concerned and was known to share his bed and his breakfast with the 'little fella' these last years. He respected, valued and supported his neighbors and friends and was available if assistance was needed. In his own way, he always took action if there was a friend or animal in need - that was just his character. The past few months were an unbelievable struggle for Dad. He showed amazing strength: physically, mentally and of course, verbally as us girls were to hear. We want to thank everyone for coming and we know he would like to thank you as well for all your years of friendship. We hope the following poem will inspire us and give us all perseverance. "To Those I Love and To Those Who Love Me" Now I am gone, Release me, let me go I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears; Be happy we had so many years. You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. But now it's time I travel alone. So grieve a while for me, If grieve you must. Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for a while that we must part, So bless the memories within your heart. I won't be far away for life goes on. So if you need me, Call me and I will be near. And if you listen with your heart, You'll hear All my love around you, Soft and clear. And when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a Smile, And "Welcome, you home". Author Unknown CARD OF THANKS The family would like to thank Reverend Bob for the beautiful service and for delivering the eulogy, Glenn McCaw and staff for their kindness and compassion, Colleen Hozak and her ladies for doing lunch, everyone who sent cards, flowers or made donations and friends and neighbors who brought food, phoned or stopped in to visit. Edie Debbie & Barry Donna Dee & Dave Matt, Ryan & Heather Mae & Martin Marie, Gary & Susan Donations in memory of Jock may be made to the SPCA.