Oren Melvin Nelson, 95, formerly of Elsmore, passed away Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at his home in Toluca Lake, Calif.
Oren was born Feb. 18, 1917, at Elsmore, the son of Oscar and Rebecca (Smading) Nelson. He grew up in the Elsmore area where he attended South Fairview Grade School in Allen County. He was a farmer, had dairy cows, and owned and operated a milk route hauling milk from dairy farms to Neosho Valley Creamery at Erie, Kansas for many years. He was always willing to help a neighbor if they needed help farming.
Oren married Nola Merle Lowe and they had three children before she preceded him in death in April of 1960.
On March 3, 1979, Oren married Pearl (Draper) Hunt and they made their home in Iola. They traveled to numerous countries around the world. Oren was a member of the Lion’s Club in Iola. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. They would go for a drive most Sundays and would end up in Oklahoma or Joplin to save a dime on milk. They loved going for rides. Pearl preceded him in death Nov. 29, 2010.
Oren did numerous projects like making things out of wood and Bunka Punch Embroidery. He loved working in the yard and planting lots of tulips.
Survivors are his three children, Melvin Nelson and wife, Phyllis of Moran, Eileen James and husband, Jim of Garnett, and Ron Nelson and wife, Eileen of rural Bonner Springs. Three step-sons, Bob Hunt and wife, Nita of Marysville, Ohio, Don Hunt and partner, Charles Reilly of Toluca Lake, Calif., and Ken Hunt and wife, Carla of Iola. Sister-in-law Virginia Nelson of Olathe. A host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Hazel Dahlstrom and two brothers, Floyd and Carroll Nelson.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola, where the family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
The burial will be at Bethel Cemetery, rural Erie.
Memorial choices are Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF) or American Heart Association.
Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.
Oren Nelson
