John Nelson

John Nelson, 82, of Good Thunder, Minnesota, passed away on his own terms on September 8th, 2025. He is survived by his wife Donna (Smothers), sister Susan Mills, daughters Julie and Rachel (Olson), daughter-in-law Nancy Floyd, son-in-law Chad Olson, grandsons Dylan, Myles, and Zachary Olson, and golden retrievers Laci and Sierra. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a long line of very happily spoiled dogs.

John was born on March 1, 1943, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Catherine and Morris “Curly” Nelson. He graduated from Mankato West High School, where he ran cross country and track. He served against his will in the Army from 1965-67, married Donna in 1968, and they raised two daughters on an 11-acre hobby farm near Good Thunder, Minnesota, where he lived until his death. He worked too hard at boat factories until his retirement, but enjoyed his retirement years working in the wild bird section of Pet Expo in Mankato.

John was a devoted coach, first of Donna’s softball team, and later of his daughters’ youth basketball and softball teams. In 1978, John and Donna created the first organized youth softball program in Mapleton, MN, where his daughters and thousands of other girls have benefited.

John was an avid reader. He loved all of the following: bass fishing, golden retrievers, red wine, chocolate, and wild birds. He raised beautiful gardens of roses, fruit trees, and too many tomatoes. His baking prowess was legendary. He and Donna enjoyed winters in Florida.

And John loved Donna very, very much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the following: Maple River softball endowment, RAGOM (golden retriever rescue): https://ragom.org/adoptable-dogs/, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2025/sep-oct/index.html, Loaves and Fishes: https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 20th from 3-6 pm at the Mapleton Community Center. Per Donna’s request (John would be tickled by this), attendees are encouraged to wear something that reflects one of John’s many favorite things: MN Lynx, Timberwolves, Twins, Gophers; Maple River or Central College; Dogs or Fishing.