To live in the hearts of those we left behind is not to die
Obituary
Kenneth W. Nelson, 90, of East Moline, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Unity Point, Trinity, Rock Island.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline. Visitation will be 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home in Moline with a Christian Wake service at 3:30 p.m. A private interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 246, Moline. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or Children's Miracle Network.
Ken was born November 26, 1933 in Moline, the son of Willard and Celina (Rogiers) Nelson. He married Katherine McCallum on December 10, 1954, happily celebrating 69 years of marriage.
Ken was a proud US Army veteran, serving to protect our nation's Capitol during the Korean War. Ken and his wife, Kathy, were the owners and operators of the former K&N Builders-Sales, East Moline. He built many homes in this area before moving into the floorcovering business. He was a true salesman at heart. He enjoyed going to work every day because he loved what he did and was quick to comment that it's not "work" if you enjoy what you are doing.
Ken was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Moline, where he served as an usher. He was happy to attend the church and parochial school where his grandparents were among the founding members as part of the Belgian community that had settled in the area. He was proud of his Belgian Heritage and often reminisced about growing up in the neighborhood area around Sacred Heart. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Leo Council and 4th Degree Father Baden Assembly; and of the American Legion Post 246, Moline. He enjoyed golfing, river and surf fishing, traveling, playing Rolle Bolle, and spending time with his family and friends. He loved visiting Crazy Horse Memorial for the annual Volksmarch in South Dakota and spending a portion of the winter in Cocoa Beach, FL. He instilled the love of travel to all of his children by always ensuring the family went on a yearly vacation. This was important to him, and his "traditions" - especially visiting Cocoa Beach, FL - have been lovingly continued by 3 generations. He loved riding motorcycles and always owned one throughout his adult life.
Ken was generous with his time and talents. He always helped those in need, always saying that we never know if it's Jesus in disguise. His children and grandchildren cherished him and his values of hard work and determination and viewed him as wise beyond words.
Survivors include his loving wife, Kathy; daughters, Victoria (Conrad) Hernstrom, Conyers, GA, Cindy Nelson-Asplund, Moline and Sue (David) Jones, Hoffman Estates, IL; son Mark Nelson, LaCrosse, WI; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gary Nelson.
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