The Lutsen Villa Association wanted to do something special to remember the founder of the Sea Villas—and their friend—George “Bub” Nelson. They had this stunning bronze casting made which will hang in the Sea Villas registration and pool building. On hand at the unveiling were Leonard “Bud” Nordstrom, president of the Lutsen Villa Association; George Nelson’s grandson Alden Harris; and Mike Winegar, Lutsen Villa Association past president.
On a warm day in May, the late George “Bub” Nelson would likely be found on the greens of Superior National at Lutsen. So, it was fitting that the day chosen by the members of the Lutsen Villa Association to honor Nelson was a perfectly sunny spring day.
Friends gathered on Saturday, May 2 in the beautiful Lutsen Sea Villas registration and pool building for a dedication of a stunning bronze piece commemorating Nelson. Leonard “Bud” Nordstrom, president of the Lutsen Villa Association, gave a welcome and a brief history of the Nelson family. Nordstrom said he knew some of the story from his long friendship with George Nelson, but some he had gleaned from the book The History of Lutsen about three generations of Nelsons and their impact on Lutsen.
Nordstrom said he found it interesting to learn that one of Nelson’s teachers told him, “George, you’ll never amount to much.” As those in attendance chuckled, Nordstrom said, “Well, history has proven her wrong!”
Nordstrom touched on Nelson’s accomplishments, from his grueling stint with the 10th Mountain Division during World War II to his return home to Lutsen to build Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill and eventually to be the driving force behind Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course.
Mike Winegar of Maple Grove said after purchasing their Sea Villa unit, he and his wife got to know George Nelson and learned about the impact he had Lutsen. “He was the founder/father of the Sea Villas, but did so much more. He brought so much to Lutsen, so we wanted to honored him with something appropriate, something with real weight to it,” said Winegar, pointing to the solid bronze casting created by the Franklin Mint.
Nordstrom introduced George Nelson’s grandson Alden Harris representing his mother, Becky Nelson- Harris and the rest of the Nelson family. Harris grew up in California and now resides in Houston, Texas. Joining him at the dedication was his friend Abril Davila. Harris thanked the homeowners’ association and noted that the statement “North Shore Visionary” was a wonderful tribute.
Harris said, “It’s the perfect tribute. ‘Papa Bub’ as we called him was a man of vision. I don’t think he really wanted to be considered visionary. What he did, all of the things you’ve mentioned, came from his love of this community. All of the people, at the resort, the Sea Villas, were like family to him. He wanted to grow his family.
“None of his grandkids grew up here, but I think I can speak for all of us, when I say Lutsen is home. Papa Bub never sat me on his knee and said, ‘You better love Lutsen.’ He didn’t have to. That comes naturally. I think we all have a piece of Lutsen in us, wherever we are.
“We want to continue to be part of this community. I’m happy to be back for this and just want to say from all of the Nelson family, thank you for this humbling and fitting tribute,” said Harris.
Stories were shared then, of golfing and skiing and business deals, along with a lot of laughter. And as Alden Harris noted, if his grandfather were there, he would be smiling at all of them with a grin even bigger than the one captured on the bronze casting.
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