Donald Nelson, 72, of Lake Andes

Donald passed away Monday April 15, 2024 at Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell after a brave fight with cancer. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am at First Lutheran Church in Lake Andes on Friday, April 26, 2024 with a visitation 1 hour before the service. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Andes.

Donald Dean Nelson was born October 30, 1951 at St Joseph Hospital in Mitchell to Arnold and Laura (Myers) Nelson. Donald passed away Monday April 15, 2024 at Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell after a brave fight with cancer. He grew up in Lake Andes and attended school there. He graduated from Andes Central High School. He continued his education by attending Mitchell Vocational Technical School for Culinary Arts. After receiving his degree, he worked at Lights Bakery in Lake Andes. Gubba also worked on his parent's farm and helped his uncle on his farm with a variety of chores. He loved all the animals, but mostly loved his many different dogs he had.

Gubba's true passion was anything to do with sports. His love of sports started at an early age playing baseball with his brother Ronnie. He played for years on the Lake Andes City team and later was an announcer for the baseball games. His love of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins was known by all much to his sister Beacy's dismay. He never missed a chance to let her know when her team (the Yankees) lost. If you ever needed to know a fact about either team he was the man to ask!! Gubba attended many of his nephew's swimming meets, cross country meets and baseball games. He was always the biggest fan in the crowd cheering and clapping from the stands.

Gubba loved his church. His belief in his faith was a huge part of his life. He attended church faithfully and sang so beautifully. You could hear him throughout the whole congregation. He sang like the angels.

Gubba always had a smile on his face and never met anyone he didn't like. Anyone who met him became a friend. He had the biggest and kindest heart of anyone and will be missed by all.

Don is survived by his sister Beacy of Mitchell his nephews: Gage of Lake Andes, Chad and Josh Nelson; his cousins who lived with him: Bob "Bobby" Nelson, Cindy Milacek, and Robert "Mitchell Bob" Nelson; and his close friends that became family, Jackie and Brennen Penne. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles, close friends and his Wesley Acres friends that became his family.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ronnie; nephew Matt Nelson; and cousins Connie Olivier and Cheryl Nelson.