Clifford John Nelson

Clifford John Nelson, age 82, of Townsend, died Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Broadwater Health Center, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

He was born in Soldiers Grove, Wis., on Dec. 7, 1924. He graduated from Glen Flora High School in 1942 and was a member of the U.S. Air Force during World War II.

Cliff was married to Beatrice May Walters of Cornell, Wis. on March 25, 1946, in Tacoma, Wash. They settled in Madison, Wis., until 1968, when they moved to Bozeman. They also lived briefly in Lewistown before moving to Townsend in 1972. Cliff was a baker for most of his adult life and also worked for the Townsend School District.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael; his parents; his brothers, Harry, Richard, Leif, Olaf and Arnold Nelson; and sisters, Esther Fortney Volden and Marion Muggenburg.

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Nelson of Townsend; daughter, Patricia (Scott Zamvil) Nelson of Palo Alto, Calif.; son, Kenneth (Irene) Nelson of Colstrip; sister, Evelyn Geotz of Sacramento, Calif.; five grandchildren, Toby, Melissa, Luke, Matt and Sam; and four great-grandchildren, Alivia, Tahlia, Aidan and Wyatt.

Cliff was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hiking. It is thus fitting that, after a private family memorial, Cliff's ashes will be scattered along his favorite trail in the mountains.

Express condolences at http://www.legacy.com/HelenaIR/.