Walter G. Nelson

Walter G. Nelson, age 89, of rural Mt. Carroll, passed away on September 25, 2023 at home on the family farm. Walter received an answer to his prayers, living a long-healthy life with people he loved. A funeral service will be held 10:30am Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Law Jones Eastland, Lanark with burial in the Lanark Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Law Jones Eastland, Lanark. A link to the livestream funeral service can be found at lawjonesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/walter-nelson. Memorials will be given locally to honor Walter’s wishes. Friends and family who wish to watch the livestream may do so at https://www.facebook.com/groups/981648276466870/?ref=share_group_link

Walter was born the son of Daniel and Kathryn (Stutzman) Nelson, September 4, 1934 near Cordova, Illinois where his parents farmed. In 1948, when Walter was a freshmen, the family moved near Chadwick after purchasing a farm. He is a 1952 graduate of the Chadwick High School. One day when Walter and his good friend, Wayne Linker, were riding through Lanark, they stopped and Walter met the love of his life, Lavonne M. Klenz.

Walter and Lavonne were married November 12, 1955 in Lanark. They farmed together, raised two sons W. Kevin and Leslie, along with celebrating 67 years of marriage. Walter and Lavonne loved being together, they enjoyed driving through the country visiting relatives and friends. He was an encourager and a gentle man. In the spring, Walter would often pick a bouquet of wildflowers for his wife. Family was the most important, and the grandchildren and great-granddaughters received special attention. Walter’s legacy includes his supportive manner, a keen eye for keeping family safe and passing the family farm down to the next generation. He and Lavonne are members of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Carroll and the Carroll County Farm Bureau. Walter was a former member of the Pork Producers, FFA, and 4-H, along with serving as a Salem Township Trustee for 20 years. He was also an avid fan of Allis Chalmers tractors and could be frequently found at threshing shows. Walter and Lavonne were honored to be awarded the 2017 Carroll County Conservation Farm Family of the Year.

Work for Walter was something that came naturally. He could fix anything and would often innovate something new to make it work. He was a progressive farmer all his career and was able to help farm by driving his combine this past summer to harvest oats. His favorite part of farming was working with, and raising cattle and hogs.

Walter will be dearly missed by his wife Lavonne; two sons, W. Kevin (Marjorie) Nelson of Ottawa and Leslie (Michaela) Nelson of Chadwick; four grandchildren, Daniel, William (Ashley), Thomas and Alyssa (fiancé Kirk Willis); three great-granddaughters, Gwendolyn, Alyvia and Adelaide; and three siblings, Daniel (Cindy) Nelson of Fulton, Aurella (Jan) Vrieswyk of Soso, Mississippi and Karen (Bill) Sikorski of Rockford, and many nieces and nephews. Walter is preceded in death by both parents and his sister, Dorothy (Frank) Smith.