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Ward Lowell Nelson

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Ward Lowell Nelson

Birth	:	12 May 1919 Waterville, Douglas County, Washington, USA
Death	:	4 Feb 2005 Waterville, Douglas County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Waterville Cemetery, Waterville, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.6418500, -120.0685940
Description	:	Ward Nelson lost his battle with cancer February 4, 2005. As with many things in his life, he fought courageously. As he wished, he spent his last days surrounded by his family in the home he built for them nearly fifty years earlier. Born on May 12, 1919, to Owen and Emma (Schmidt) Nelson, Ward spent his early childhood on a ranch near Withrow. Like many in his generation, his early years were clouded by the Depression. At age 11, after his father’s death, he spent much of his childhood living with friends and relatives near Redmond, Oregon, Twisp and Waterville, Washington... Read More	Ward Nelson lost his battle with cancer February 4, 2005. As with many things in his life, he fought courageously. As he wished, he spent his last days surrounded by his family in the home he built for them nearly fifty years earlier. Born on May 12, 1919, to Owen and Emma (Schmidt) Nelson, Ward spent his early childhood on a ranch near Withrow. Like many in his generation, his early years were clouded by the Depression. At age 11, after his father’s death, he spent much of his childhood living with friends and relatives near Redmond, Oregon, Twisp and Waterville, Washington changing schools thirteen times in twelve years. During his senior year, he played football, basketball, and met his future wife Virginia Osborne. In January 1941, he reported to Fort Lewis, Washington as one of the first inductees in the Army from Douglas County. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his one year commitment was extended to five and he was subsequently sent to Camp Carson, Colorado for further training with the 98th Field Artillery. While on leave in October of 1942, he returned home to marry his high school Sweetheart, Virginia. Six weeks later, Ward was deployed to the South Pacific as a member of the Sixth Ranger Battalion. During the ensuing three years, he served in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. The book, Ghost Soldiers, tells the story of the Sixth Rangers and their part in the Philippine Campaign. Ward was very proud, not only to have been a Ranger, but to have served his country. His passion and reverence for life were forever defined by this experience. At his discharge from the Army on September 27, 1945, Ward returned to Waterville where he and Virginia established a retail store, Nelson’s Dry Goods. In 1946, they had their first daughter, Vickie (Hammond) followed in 1949, with the birth of their second daughter, Noreen (Schedler). Ward worked for John Deere, followed by a twenty-year career as Construction Inspector for hydro-electric projects, and other construction. In that capacity he became a Lab Technician and batch plant inspector, sub-contractor, and a field inspector for projects at Rocky Reach, Rock Island, and Wells Dams, as well as Wenatchee Valley College. Concurrent with his construction and retail business, he found time to build a family home, participate on the Waterville town council, and was instrumental in the building of the lodge for the Badger Mountain Ski Club. Ward was an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors. In his youth, he spent many hours in the Methow Valley with relatives and friends. His special love for the Waterville Cabin at Little Big Creek on Lake Chelan was evident in the years his family routinely vacationed there, documenting each visit in the Cabin log. Ward and Virginia spent much of their retirement years camping, fishing, and being an integral part of their girls’ lives and families. Ward was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Owen and Neil; and sister, Audrey. He is survived by his wife, Virginia of Waterville; daughters, Vickie and son-in-law Charles Hammond of East Wenatchee, and Noreen and son-in-law Mark Schedler of Seattle; grandsons, Kurt Hammond and wife Leah, Bret Hammond and wife Holly; granddaughter, Minda and husband Derek Bergan, all of East Wenatchee and granddaughters, Megan and Erin Schedler of Seattle. In addition, he is survived by five great-grandchildren, Zach, Josh, Riley, Drew, and Grace. Each carry on his love of family and community and an appreciation of the privilege of just being home.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Ward Lowell Nelson's memorial?
Ward Lowell Nelson's memorial is located at: Waterville Cemetery, Waterville, Douglas County, USA.
When did Ward Lowell Nelson death?
Ward Lowell Nelson death on 4 Feb 2005 in Waterville, Douglas County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Ward Lowell Nelson's memorial?
Latitude: 47.6418500
Longitude: -120.0685940

Family Members:

Parent

Emma Schmidt McKay

(1896 - 1959)

Spouse

Virginia M Osborne Nelson

(1920 - 2014)

Siblings

Neil Leon Nelson

(1916 - 1969)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Waterville Cemetery
Waterville, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6418500, -120.0685940

2. Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
Waterville, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6382100, -120.0671690

3. Kummer Cemetery
Waterville, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6559000, -120.0332000

4. Badger Mountain View Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6088000, -120.0476000

5. Douglas Lutheran Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6189003, -119.9614029

6. Orondo Community Cemetery
Orondo, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6486015, -120.2136002

7. Brays Landing Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.7364120, -120.1704660

8. Fletcher Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.7430992, -119.9403000

9. Ballard Family Cemetery
Stayman, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.7811100, -120.1133300

10. Slack Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5283012, -119.9180984

11. Badger Mountain Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5063000, -120.1938000

12. Entiat Cemetery
Entiat, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6755981, -120.3043976

13. Happy Home Cemetery
Farmer, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6268997, -119.8125000

14. Evangelical Emanuel Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5764008, -119.8107986

15. Riverview Cemetery
Chelan, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8335991, -119.9944000

16. Saint Andrews Episcopal Church
Chelan, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8397460, -120.0183780

17. Mount Olivet Cemetery
Chelan, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8451000, -119.9946000

18. Chelan Fraternal Cemetery
Chelan, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8502998, -120.0081024

19. Saint Hubert Catholic Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5988880, -119.7481940

20. Valley View Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4730988, -120.2981033

21. Hamilton Cemetery
East Wenatchee, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4336014, -120.2482986

22. Manson Indian Cemetery
Manson, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8800000, -120.1300000

23. Sunnyslope Church of the Brethren Cemetery
Sunnyslope, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4784431, -120.3465576

24. Evergreen Memorial Park
East Wenatchee, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4216995, -120.2649994