Minnesota loses an American hero, oldest World War II vet

WWII veteran dies at 105WWII veteran dies at 105

Stan Nelson lived a legendary life.

The oldest living World War II veteran in Minnesota and survivor of the Normandy Beach invasion in 1944, passed away on Nov. 20 at the age of 105.

Just two weeks ago, Nelson was honored on Veterans Day by the Minnesota Wild when he delivered the “Let’s Play Hockey” call at Grand Casino Arena. Two months ago, he celebrated his 105th birthday in Anoka with friends and family.

His message to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that day is fitting for this Thanksgiving week:

“‘I’m just lucky to have such good friends and family,” he said. “It isn’t everybody that can say that, you know. And so for that I’m very thankful.”

The Navy veteran not only survived the Normandy invasion, he was also an outstanding high school and college athlete in football, basketball and baseball at Augsburg. As coach of the Anoka High School football team, he won a state championship in 1964.

In 2004, he got to watch his son, Dave, coach Minnetonka to a football state championship, with his grandson Jesse at quarterback. His son, Steve Nelson, was a linebacker for the New England Patriots in the NFL for 14 years. His daughter, Cheryl, coached several state championship teams at Anoka in track and tennis.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 9-11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, with a service to follow at 11 a.m.
The post Minnesota loses an American hero, oldest World War II vet first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.