Wesley Vern Nelson

Wesley Vern Nelson, born November 10, 1932, passed away peacefully at his home in Traverse City on April 10, 2023. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband and father, a selfless difference-maker, and a source of steadfastness in a turbulent world. Wes was born at Flint Hurley Hospital to Alice Marion (Weston) and Verner Hjalmar Nelson. The family moved to Traverse City in 1947, and Wes graduated from Traverse City High School in 1950. He attended Michigan State College where he enrolled in ROTC and studied Dairy Science. While at a school dance, Wes met a beautiful gal from Chicago, Arlene Ruth (Kemmler) Nelson – thus began the love story that spanned more than 70 years. Wes and Arlene were married on September 25, 1954. Wes served in the United States Air Force from 1955-57 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City followed by five years in the Air Force Reserves. He left the service as a Captain and returned home to the family business, Nelson’s Cloverdale Dairy. As a milkman during the home delivery era, Wes came to know the backroads of northern Michigan intimately. He had many tales of the mishaps and adventures found along the way. Wes was a connoisseur of cottage cheese, tapioca pudding, and vanilla ice cream. In the 1960s, dairy home delivery fell from favor and the convenience store era began. The family took ownership of the Terrace Shopper in 1968 and developed the new Holiday Shopper in Acme the same year. In 1978, Wes opened Acme Laundry & Dry Cleaners where he worked until 2016. The family also built and leased the Acme hardware and post office which remain in operation today. In 1996, Wes and Arlene became partners in Elmbrook, the golf course co-founded by Wes’ father, which sold in 2021. In 1968, against the advice of many but encouraged by Wes’ visionary mother, the couple purchased the historic “Hillcrest” or “Pratt House” on Jefferson Avenue. Owning the stately Victorian home came at the price of many do-it-yourself projects, stay-home vacations, and second-hand cars. Wes was grateful to have lived in such a beautiful place, and he shared it graciously with young professionals in need of a place to board, neighbor kids in need of a sledding hill, and wildlife seeking refuge from a growing city. In his final year, he carried out his dream to have a pond built on his land, only to be outdone by a colony of beavers that also had plans to develop more west-side waterfront property. Wes relished 35 years in the Traverse City Rotary Club where he served on multiple committees and as club president. Wes found no difficulty abiding by the Rotary four-way test – to speak the truth, be fair, build goodwill and better friendships, and do one’s best in all situations – because that was already his nature. Among the highlights of Wes’ life were his mission trips to Biloxi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Honduras with grandson Collin to help with clean water and vented stoves, India with son Darryl for polio eradication, and Nepal for clean water and a women’s clinic. He made many dear and lasting friends through Rotary, and the family welcomed many Rotary exchange students into their lives. For more than 40 years, Wes volunteered for the National Cherry Festival where he served on several committees, on the Board of Trustees, and as president. Wes also volunteered with the Probate Court mentoring program, the Grand Traverse Pavilions, NMC Foundation, and the United Way. He served for many years at the NMC Barbeque, operating the bellows to put “the wind in the beans.” In 1983, when Traverse City was named an All-American City, the Nelson family was selected to represent the town as its All-American Family. In 2010, he and Arlene received the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Service Award. Despite his busy life, he always had time to help a friend or neighbor in need. A natural athlete, Wes had many hobbies including fast-pitch softball, skiing, boating, sailing, golf, camping, and touring on his Goldwing trike. Wes enjoyed an occasional bout of mischief and had a clever sense of humor that persisted through his final days. Like many gifted people, the genius of his artistry, including his rule-defying entries into the family gingerbread competition, was somewhat underappreciated during his lifetime. Wes loved his country deeply and was a lifelong student of history. He believed in the importance of taking an active role in civic life and in leaving a place better than you found it. Through his example, the desire to serve others became part of the family’s genetic code. Wes was quietly but undeniably faithful. He anticipated eternal life with great joy and confidence. Wes is survived by his wife, Arlene; sons Darryl (Cathy); and Kevin (Kathy Life); daughter Karen (John Aldrich); grandchildren, Emily, Wesley, Andy, Collin, and Leah; and great-grandchildren, Atlas and Callen. Louie-the-bent-legged dog, the latest in a long line of family pets, will miss his big-hearted friend greatly. To honor Wes’ legacy of giving, please consider a donation to an international charity that Wes valued greatly, https://www.wheelsofhope.net, to provide mobility to someone in need, or https://www.singlemomm.org, a local organization that assists mothers striving to achieve independence. A celebration of Wes’ life will take place at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home with visitation on Thursday, April 27 from 3:00-6:00 pm, and Saturday, April 29 from 10:00-11:00 am. At 11:00 am at the funeral home, Rev. Gary Hogue will preside over a remembrance service which will be followed by a luncheon at Kirkbride Hall.

Wesley Vern Nelson

November 10, 1932 - April 10, 2023