ROGER E. NELSON

Roger ''Nellie'' E. Nelson, age 70, of Pasco, died Monday, January 7, at Lourdes Hospital. He was born October 29, 1931 in Rush City, Minnesota, to Anna Louise Hertenstein and Oscar Nelson.

After high school graduation from Rush City, he then moved to Washington State, near Lind, to assist in the wheat harvest. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee and served primarily in Puerto Rico. Following military service, he moved to the Tri-Cities in 1956 and was employed by GE.

He married Opal Wood in 1957, having been introduced by his sister, Marion. In 1958, he joined the Pasco Fire Department, where he retired as assistant fire chief in 1983. That same year he ran for fire commissioner, Franklin county Fire District 3 and served for 14 years.

Roger had great respect of his many good friends from fire service and was proud to serve the community with them.

Roger was always interested in learning and aside from courses related to fire fighting and ambulance service, he also took courses in refrigeration and upholstery. He put his talents to work in his hobbies, including building the family a motor home for camping trips.

He had a love of gardening from his early years living on the family farm, and in 1979 he completed construction on a new family home west of Pasco on an acre and a quarter. For many years, he and Opal enjoyed growing their own fruits and vegetables.

He was an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping with his family. He spent many enjoyable hours with his grandson Marlon, fishing the Snake River.

Roger was a member of the American Legion, and the Richland Lutheran Church. He also participated in many class reunions of the ''Red Brick Schoolhouse'' in Rush City where he remained in contact with friends going back to his childhood in rural Minnesota.

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Opal; daughter, Susie and her husband, Mike McGuire of Richland; his grandson, Marlon McGuire; as well as his sisters, Marion Speck, Richland, Barbara Finney, Gold Hill, OR, and Jan Lattin, Shelton, W A.

He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Nelson, and mother, Anna Hertenstein Nelson.

Graveside service at Einan's Funeral Home will be Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a service at the Richland Lutheran Church at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions maybe made to the Good News Media Ministry c/o Richland Lutheran Church Girls and Boys Town, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.