DALE NELSON
August 24, 1938 - January 7, 2007

"I,ll miss Dale very much!!! Having Dale at hunting camp each year. the smell of his cigar,s in the blinds!Hunting came second to Dale. being at camp. And just being with the guys came first.he,ll always be one of the three muskateers, Jim, Dale, and Clyde. " We,ll Miss ya buddy""

"Dear Mary Lou, My prayers are with you and your family. Love, Cindy Kimbrough"

"Dear Mary Lou & Steve. I want to send you my sympathy in the loss of a GREAT guy. I will never forget his smile and hugs. You all have a special spot in my heart. Love, Renee' "Love Bug""

"Mary Lou, Steven, Natasha, and Cota; My deepest sympathies go to all of you at this time. As you know, I grew up knowing your family quite well, and was blessed to have had the opportunity to see all of you again at Christmas during that beautiful Christmas display in Menominee while visiting my folks. When my Mom called to tell me about Dale, it broke my heart. My best memories of Dale are of him singing in St. John's Choir, and at my sister's (Peggy's) wedding. I also, remember lots of hugs and kisses, and how he'd rather be playing around with all the kids at any group function, than sitting with the adults. And most recently at this last Christmas and the strong hugs he gave me. I'll always remember the look on his face when he saw my boy Cole, and met my husband Eric. A very proud moment for me. I have two of his paintings hanging in my home and everytime I look at them I will feel his presence. He has left a mark on my heart as he has with many other people I'm sure. I feel as though we Bartels have lost a member of our own family in losing Dale. I feel very blessed to have known Dale, and my prayers and thoughts are with you in this terrible time. I guess now, he's truly an angel watching over us all. God Bless! Much Love to all of you! Mary (Bartels), Eric, and Cole Schneider"

"Dale was a wonderful person. He will be missed by all who got to know him. We will be thinking and praying for all of you at this time. Our thoughts are with you all. Sincerely, Marianne & Bill Kolpack, Antti & Aino Saarivirta, and Anneli and Bill Brazier"

"We Want to offer our condolences to Mary Lou and the family. We will sincerely miss Dale and often think of the happy times we shared together as friends."

"Dear MaryLou, Steven and Family, We are so very sorry to learn of your loss. Dale always had a wonderful smile for us even when he was helping with all the rummage sales. We had some good times together in the old neighborhood didn"t we? We are in Gulf Shores, Al, so far away, but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, BILL AND JOAN DUPRAS"

"When thinking about Uncle Dale, one thing, of course, comes to mind: his beautiful art work. I remember the year we all got hand-painted sweatshirts for Christmas. I was in elementary school & mine was a turquoise sweatshirt with big daisies painted on the front. I was so proud to wear it to school and tell all the other little kids that my shirt had not come from a store. It was hand-painted by my uncle who lived in the big city! Uncle Dale brought beauty to so much in our lives. I couldn't ask for a more loving, caring, or giving Uncle and Godfather."

"Dear Mary Lou, I am very sorry to hear of Dale's passing. I always enjoyed talking to him when we had "teacher" parties at your home. You have wonderful memories to cherish forever. Take care of yourself and God Bless you. And, God Bless Eveanna, too. I'd hear of the fun times you shared with each other after you returned back home. My daughters, Jessica and Cristelle send their love, too. Judy"

"Our friend Dale lived lived to the fullest. Evryone he met loved him, thats Dale. Claude & I will treasure our time with him, especially our sunset at Laurention Lodge With Marylou & Dale. We will miss him, but have so many beautiful memories of him, that he will always be with us"

"Uncle Dale was very special to me in my growing-up years. He always took an interest in me and spent time with me. We used to listen to 45s when he still lived w/Gramma and Grampa Nelson. I rode on his motorcycle which was fun and exciting. One time he baled me out of overdue fines at the library. I was so worried about the amount and he laughed when he paid the $6.00 fee, teasing me that it was sooo much. Standing in his wedding was such a priviledge for me. Sadly, in recent years we were somewhat out of touch what with his busy life. Florida and Michigan are so far from one another. But I could always count on Aunt Adelyn to keep me up to date with him. And we never missed Christmas card exchanges. Most importantly, he was always remembered as an important person in my life. Please know that my children and I are all keeping Aunt Lou and cousin Steven in our prayers here in Florida. Kristine"

"In the years I had the opportunity to work with Dale at The Mining Journal, I was always impressed by his sincerity and genuine interest. He was someone who was willing to help and I feel as though I am richer for having known him. I last saw Dale in Bart Carroll's barber shop in Marquette a few years ago and we chatted briefly; even though it had been many years since we had worked together, it didn't take long until we were conversing like the "old" days at the Journal."

"Mary Lou, the Nelson and Quist Families, You are in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy. May your warm memories of Dale comfort you during this time. Another star in the sky, another angel to keep us all safe."

"Uncle Dale...when I think to my most cherished and fondest memories it is amazing how many Uncle Dale was involved in. When I think of Uncle Dale I am reminded of family dinners at the Michigan, where he would nible our ears, Hardees sweet rolls eaten along the lake shore, the sweet smell of cigars, him sarinading Aunt Lou with "Hello Mary Lou" at my graduation party, a marvelous painter, summer days swimming and going for pontune rides, moving into my first dorm room with his help, hunting camp, a lover of music, him navagating the narrow roads of TN, and most of all a joyful laugh and smile. Uncle Dale was a generous person who always gave his time and energy to help anyone. He was gentle and compassionate. This is not his end, but his begining--for I have no doubt that he is looking down from Heaven right now with a cigar in his mouth, a child on his lap, and a paint brush in his pocket, humming "Hello Mary Lou" waiting for the day when we will meet again."

"Mrs. Nelson, I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Nelson. I still have the painting he made of Lake Superior looking out from the front of my fathers cabin. I am thinking about you and your family. My prayers are with you. Sincerely, Colleen"

"In remembrance of Dale. He was a very thoughtful and kind gentleman. Always wanting to give a helping hand no matter what the situation. You will be missed. Mary Lou and the Quist family, take care in this time. Mike."

"We were so sorry to hear about Dale. We only knew Dale from Rivers Bend, he always had that big smile and that cigar and was around helping someone or chatting with a fellow camper. We will think of him every time we look at the sign he painted for us. We will be reminded of Dale when we walk thru the park and see his artwork at other campsites. God Bless you Mary Lou and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers."

"God has taken you back home, but we will never forget you. You are in our hearts always. We still have the picture that Uncle Dale painted for Mom and Dad in our frontroom. He had style, grace and a lot of love for everyone who knew him. Aunt Mary Lou, we send our deepest sympathy to you, and to the everyone at this time. Remember always that we love you."

"Dale was such a wonderful person, I can remember him from the time Lee and Jan got married. He always treated us as family. I can remember my last trip home, I enjoyed Dale and MaryLou's home so much. I also remember the trip home with Gary for Mark's wedding. After that we went to River Bend and Dale took us on a boat ride. It was so wonderful and Gary spoke of it several times before his death. I know you will have a lifetime of wonderful memories of Dale, but know he is dancing with the Angels already."

"I want to offer my condolences to you, Mary, and the family for your loss of Dale. He was a fine friend and former classmate of the Class of 1957. He will be remembered at our 50th reunion in July."

"I will always remember Uncle Dale growing up in Marquette and their house in Marquette. I spent my senior year in high school living with Aunt Lou and Uncle Dale in order to finish high school in Marquette since my family had moved to Florida. They took me in and treated me as their own "daughter" for that year. Uncle Dale had a way about him, easy going, fun, a great artist - he even painted a picture of the UP scene to take to my host family in Germany one summer. We'll miss you! Heidi and family"

"To Mary Lou and family. It is with incredible disbelief and sadness that my father and I offer our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. We learned of Dale's passing today. We will always remember Dale as a caring, kind and good natured person, who always had a positive outlook on life. We respected him for being a devoted family man. Mary Lou, you and Dale, along with Rodger and Babe, were among the many people who made Rivers Bend such as special place. We will remember you in our prayers and hope that you can carry the many great memories you had together at Rivers Bend. With sincere condolences, The Erickson Family"

"Dale, you will be missed very much by everyone. I enjoyed visiting your trailer at the River and going down the river in your boat. Dale gave us a painting of the shoreline with a lighthouse in the background, which I really enjoy. I know that when Drew & Max would visit you and Mary Lou they had a great time. I will miss you alot."

"Lu, Steve, Tasha, Cota and of course Grandcat, Where do I begin a trail of memories that began so long ago. As Eveann (I hope I spelled that correctly) had said "you and Dale took us under your oh so large wings when we moved to Marquette. It began with pizza after working bingo and grew into a friendship that Paul and I have truly treasured. We have shared so many things/events during this time. Laughter to tears, joy to sorrow. Our trips on the motorcycles, meals we shared, heartaches within, raising our kids and all that entailed, St Johns and being a part of that wonderful large family. As my Mary said in her letter and I have to agree 100%. Our lives have been enriched and blessed in having been adopted by the Nelsons'. Lu, Steve, Tasha and Cota and so many others we have some very wonderful memories of Dale. He won't be far away you see, "He is permanently embedded in our Hearts." We Love You All Bigger Than The Sky and send our Prayers!!! Paul and Linda"

"Uncle Dale you were a really fun uncle.The funnest time time I had with you was when we put about 500 plastic eggs in your tree.We got our pictures in the paper.I'll miss you."

"Dear Mary Lou, The world lost, but God gained, a great man in Dale. I have many fond memories of "Lenny" with camp, motorcycle rides, and the family get togethers we all had together. Serving mass with Dale at St. John's was always a pleasure with both you and Dale and I felt a bit of a loss when that part of life ended. My heart and prayers are there for you and your family during this time of greiving. Know that you are thought of often, and loved all that much more. God bless, Mark, Melissa, Wyatt and Makenna"

"Uncle Dale, Some of my fondest memories of growing up are from vacations home to Michigan and you were always a big part of that. I loved it when you would take me fishing and I always had so much fun. I have always tried to have lots of fun with my children, to be a fun Dad who they wanted to be around. A bit of you, I am sure, rubbed off on me. Thank you!"

"Our deepest sympathys go out to you. Mike left for a Florida day the day before the services, and we are sorry we did not get to attend. Dale was a wonderful man and we know how much you all will miss his presence, tho he will stay forever in your hearts, and you have many wonderful memories to sustain you thru this hard time. May God Bless you all. Mike, Mary and Family"

"Mrs. Nelson-- I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. You were an inspirational teacher, but I never knew much about your husband or his support of you. Dale sounds like a wonderful man. Please accept my condolences. Best, Joe Schacht"

"Uncle Dale... Where do I begin? Even though I am not a member of this family by blood, they have always treated me like I am one of their own. Especially Uncle Dale, who I called Uncle from the very beginning. As a child, I lived directly across the street from him and Mary Lou. I have so many fond memories at their house...many of which include their beloved Granddaughter, Tasha. Uncle Dale spent many hours entertaining us and spurring our own childhood imaginations. My most recent memory of Uncle Dale was at Thanksgiving this past yearI was outside watching him and Cota play swords with sticks. Uncle Dale seemed to just glow with happiness while playing with his Grandson. I just watched and smiled, admiring the playfulness of the two. They both couldve been little kids, the way Uncle Dale was so engaged in playing. What a wonderful Grandfather. Ill always remember his truck that said Natashas Grandpa on it, his paintings, his love of kids, and most of all.how he made me feel like a part of his family right from the start."

"Dear Marylou, we sent a message earlier but only recently found that it did not go through. The distance makes our hearts heavy since we cannot be with you personally. In the short time that we have known you and Dale we have come to love you both. The memory of Dale and the fun times we had will always be in our hearts and minds. I am sure he will be looking down on us and smiling when we are out on our kayaks. Please know that you can call or stop over anytime. We will always be there for you. As soon as we return I will give you a call. In the meantime, please take care of yourself and know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Bonnie and Don"

"Was terribly sorry to hear of Dale's passing. We went back a long long way, to Mr. Sain's printing class for two years at Graveraet."