Michael Wayne Nelson, 59, passed peacefully after a brief battle with cancer at North Shore Hospital with his daughters by his side on July 22, 2017.
Mike is survived by his children Alana (Mike) Suomela, Sarena Nelson (Sam Crowley), Gina Nelson (Dustin Nelson), Christina Nelson, Melissa (Paul) Roering, and Larry Burg. Grandchildren Cullen Hall, Finley Crowley, Alec and Payton Suomela, and Landun Roering. Siblings Patti Neal, Cyndi Cole, Laura (Butch) Miller, Jim Nelson, Randy (Lisa) Nelson, and many cousins, aunts, and uncles. He is preceded in death by his wife, Suzie Nelson, grandson Liam Hall, and father Stanley “Bud” Nelson.
Mike was born on September 18, 1957 in Two Harbors to parents Stanley Nelson and Jo Ann Philbrook. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1975 and served his country for four years before starting a family in Tofte with former wife Mary Czaplicki. Mike built the family home with the help of close friends Tom Somnis, Billy Baker, Rob Sloan, brother-in-law Ted Czaplicki, and anyone who showed up with a hammer.
Mike worked for many years alongside his brother Randy for the family business, Nelson Towing, before starting his own mechanic business, M&M Auto Repair. In 1993, he began working for Edwin E. Thoreson Construction as a heavy equipment mechanic and quickly became part of the family.
Mike remarried in 2010 to Suzie Burg. In a small ceremony at Cook County courthouse with close friends and family present, they said their “I do’s.” Mike and Suzie enjoyed cruising through the backwoods, Friday poker nights with friends, pontooning, and bonfires at his best friend Tommy Somnis’s cabin. They loved their pet dogs Christmas Tree and Michelob, cat Carly Ann, and at one time even a duck named Bobby Rae.
Their favorite spot was the Six Hundred Road Bridge on the Sawbill Trail. A stop there was a must on their cruises through the woods.
He never skipped a beat to crack a joke or a cold beer. He was respected and loved by many people in the community. He loved to dance, spend time with friends and family and was an avid collector of coins and anything interesting.
Life will not be the same without Mike Nelson and his smile. He is greatly missed every day.
We would like to thank everyone who has stopped by for a visit, delivered food, gave out hugs, and prayed with us during our dad’s battle with cancer. The amount of support and love is truly a blessing to our family and is a testament to the strength of this community.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Zoar Lutheran Church for the renovation of the church kitchen. Please contact the church at 218-663-7925 or mail to PO Box 2098, Tofte, MN 55615.
Leave a Reply