Willard W. Nelson, 95, of Geneseo, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo. A private memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2020, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory - Geneseo Chapel. Pastor Jim Aniol will officiate. The service will be live-streamed on www.vandemorefuneralhome.com. Inurnment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Cambridge. A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2020, at the funeral home. A Moose service will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded.
Willard was born May 10, 1925, the son of Robert L. and Estella (Ericson) Nelson, in Weller Township, Henry County. On September 5, 1948, he married Lois Johnson, in Cambridge. They had four children. She preceded him in death on October 2, 2012. He farmed and was employed by John Deere. Lois and Willard owned and operated Nelson Christmas Tree Farm for over thirty years. He was a member of Moose Lodge #990 and was devoted to volunteering at Moose functions. He also served on the Edford Township Board. He was an avid recycler and enjoyed collecting insulators.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Linda (Al) Denison, Cambridge, and Cori (Bill) Nielsen, New Lenox, IL; son-in-law, George Heintz, Wisconsin Dells, WI; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Estella, wife, Lois, son, Richard, daughter, Carol Heintz, grandson, Joseph Heintz, and brother, Harold Nelson.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Willard Nelson Memorial Fund.