Don Leroy Nelson 87 of Walden passed away Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Middle Park Medical Center - Extended Care, in Kremmling CO. Don was born August 22, 1929 in Mondamin, IA,to Lloyd Claston and Lydia (Marcus) Nelson. The family moved to CO and on to CA by 1944.Don graduated from Jordan High School in North Long Beach, CA and joined the US MarineCorps, July 1946, where he spent time in Saipan, Guam, Philippines and Camp Pendleton CA., He attended the Long Beach City College. Don married Elenore Duree, to this union two children were born, Natalie Dawn and Russell Don. Don worked in construction and sales and retired from Orange County Water District in Anaheim, CA in 1991 then moved to Walden, CO to be close to his cousin, June Hauptman. Don married Rosa Mae (Brocker) Dowdell, the love of his life, February 14, 1993, where they enjoyed traveling, families, friends and North Park. He is survived by wife Rosa Mae Nelson, his daughter, Natalie Nelson of Dacatur, IN, son, Russell (Len) of Topanga, CA, step-daughter Terri (Kent) Follett of Walden, CO, step-son Grant (Bev) Dowdell of Fort Morgan, CO, sister Charlotte Flum of Fort Bragg, CA. Nine blended grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. He was proceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don's name to JCCOA (Jackson County Council on Aging) P.O. Box 861 Walden, CO 80480 or Northwest Colorado Health (Home Health/Hospice & Palliative Care) 940 Central Park Dr. Suite 101 Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at the North Park Community Church in Walden, CO on July 21 at 1:00 p.m.