John Donald Nelson

John Donald Nelson died Friday morning, April 7, 2017 in St. James Healthcare. He was born Wednesday, June 19, 1935 in Lead, South Dakota to Ever and Inez (Thompson) Nelson. They moved to Butte in 1943 where he attended the Washington Elementary School and graduated from Butte High School in 1953. He went to work for the National Biscuit Co., the F and S Construction Co., Morris Better Service, Boland Development Co., Lakeview Mining Co. in Lake View, OR, Milo's Better Service Station and finally U. S. West (Qwest) where he retired after twenty-seven years. He married Helen Ann Malyevac on June 18, 1960 in Sacred Heart Church. John loved cars and driving. Whether a Sunday drive to Yellowstone Park, a weekend getaway or a long road trip, John was happiest at the wheel of his latest vehicle. And of course, one of his favorite destinations was a gambling trip where he could test his luck at the casino. John started playing tennis with his daughters when they were young. He grew to love the game, and while the girls got older and played less, John continued, even entering senior tournaments. He was still playing just last summer. One of Johns best traits was his sense of humor. He like to tease and was always ready with a joke or quick comeback. John could make anyone laugh. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Nelson, daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Scott Doremus and granddaughters, Casey and McKenna Doremus of Townsend, MA; daughter Pamela Nelson of Edmonds, WA; brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Beverly Nelson of Apple Valley, MN,; special sister-in-law, Ann Nelson, brother-in-law, Jack Anderson, brother- in-law, John Malyevac all of Butte, sister-in-law, Beverly Hihnala of Helena, sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Leo Pierce of Las Vegas, NV, brother-in-law, Ron Kriskovich of Anaconda and numerous nieces and nephews. John also had a very special relationship with the Larson Family, Lorna, Steve, Sara and Krista. He is preceded in death b y his parents, Ever and Inez Nelson, brother, William Nelson, sisters: Esther Leritz, Helen Anderson and Dan and Mary Ann "Butch" Anzik, brother-in-law, Jack Hihnala, sister-in-law, Marlene Malyevac, sister-in-law, Marlene Kriskovich (Malyevac), nephew Troy Nelson and nephew, Greg Leritz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or the National Park Foundation, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005.

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John Donald Nelson

June 19, 1935 - April 7, 2017