Loren Buzz Walter Nelson was born in the family home Jan. 11, 1925, in Regent, N.D., to Hans and Sadie Nelson.
The family moved to Leavenworth, Wash., in 1931. The family worked as loggers, a profession he continued until he retired in 1985.
He met and married Virginia Irene Rousseau on May 5, 1945. They had nine children. Buzz served his country during World War II and was stationed in Germany. In 1969 the family moved to northern California.
After the death of his wife, Ginny in 1985, Buzz spent time with his children in California and Washington. Most recently he made his home in Snohomish, Wash., with his daughter Mona and son-in-law Bob.
After a short illness he became a resident at Madeleine Villa in Marysville, Wash., where on May 12, 2007, he passed peacefully.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, four brothers and three sisters.
He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Finchum, of Butte Falls, Ore.; nine children: Mona and Bob Swanson, Snohomish, Jeanita Nelson and Bill Langford, Marysville, Deb and Jim Blair, Thorne Bay, Alaska, Dennis Nelson, Virginia City, Nev., Cindy and Chet Schroeder, Hoopa, Calif., Greg and Mary Nelson, Hoopa, Sheryll Nelson, Hoopa, Mike and Brenda Nelson, Hoopa, Pat and Cindy Nelson, Sparks, Nev.; 30 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many friends old and new.
We will remember our dad as a man who loved life, brought joy to our world and taught us all to dance and laugh helping us to realize life is not to be taken too seriously.
Buzz made many friends through out the years who will miss his smile and generous heart.
The family would like to thank the staff at Madeleine Villa and Providence Hospice for their loving and gentle care of our Dad.
He will be interred at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Ore. A memorial will be held at a later date.