Michael D. “Mike” Nelson, 64, Dubuque, Iowa, died at 5:13 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at home.

His funeral services are at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa. The Rev. John Sorenson is officiating. Friends may call after 9 a.m. on Saturday at the church. The Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Mike was born on Jan. 9, 1945, in Williston, the son of Ralph and Olga (Anderson) Nelson. He married Carole D. Fretland on Jan. 1, 1970, in Williston. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He worked for Capital Myers Cox as a sales representative until his retirement in 2005.

He was an avid Minnesota Viking and Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved going to his cabin in Minnesota and returning to North Dakota on many trips. He is survived by his wife, Carole; daughter, Jackie (Jamie Fens) Nelson, Cedar Falls, Iowa; two sons, Kris Nelson, Dubuque and Bob Nelson, Dyersville, Iowa; two sisters, Mary Ann (Don) Richardson, Kemp, Texas, and Laurie Flexhaug, Williston; two brothers, David (Sherry) Nelson, Williston and Elwood (Betty) Adams, Woodbury, Minn., and his constant companions, Butters and Boca.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerry.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Janes, Dr. Osamah El Khatib and the Iowa Hospice for all the care and kindness they gave to Mike.