Nelson, Keith (Age 87, Listowel And Formerly Palmerston)

Allan “Keith” NELSON of Listowel and formerly of Palmerston, peacefully surrounded by the love of his family, on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the age of 87. Beloved husband and best friend of Nancy (Francis) Nelson for 61 years. Cherished father of Lori and Kevin Konings, and Sue and Bill Fraser. Proud Papa of Reed Konings, Kelly Fraser, Leigh Fraser, Lindsay and Justin Carroll, and Shane Konings and Lauren Wasylkiw. Survived by his brother Don Nelson of Mississauga, sister-in-law Eleanor Nelson of Hamilton, and several very special nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his daughter Diane, brother Howard, sister-in-law Vera Nelson, and his parents Gordon and Beatrice (Haddock) Nelson.
Keith lived on the Nelson family farm in Wallace Township for nearly seventy years.  A few years before selling the farms, Keith and his son-in-law, Kevin bought a tractor-trailer and took turns long-haul trucking across Canada and most of the U.S.A.  For eleven years, Keith never travelled without his trusty navigator, Nancy, who kept him on the proper roads and had his paperwork ready at the border crossings.  He retired from trucking at the age of 75.
Keith’s pride and joy was his family. He spent countless hours watching his grandchildren’s various sports and activities and was always so proud of their accomplishments.  A quiet and humble man, Keith enjoyed volunteering with Palmerston Lion’s Club for over fifty years and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Award for his dedication to volunteerism.  He took great pride and satisfaction in working with his fellow Lions transforming the Palmerston railway yards into the now beautiful Lions Heritage Park.  In his spare time, Keith loved to garden, growing the best sweet corn, the biggest pumpkins, and the most beautiful flower boxes, curl, dance, play cards and games with his friends and family, travel, and cheer for his beloved Maple Leafs and Blue Jays.  During his last five and a half years living with aphasia and vascular dementia after suffering a severe stroke, communication was extremely difficult for Keith, but listening to music and hymns played on the piano was a familiar comfort.
The Nelson family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton for their kind and compassionate care of Keith over the past several years.  They were his second family.
A private family funeral service will be held at Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel, on Friday, January 17th with Reverend Ralph Dwarika officiating. Interment in Palmerston Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Knollcrest Lodge, Milverton, or Lion’s Club Seeing Eye Dogs would be appreciated and may be made through the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel. Online condolences are available.

Categorised in: Obituaries

This post was written by inmemoriam