I. G. Eldon Nelson

PORTAGE – I. G. Eldon Nelson, of Portage, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 12, 2024, at the age of 95.

Eldon was born on February 13, 1928, in Tolley, North Dakota, the son of George and Emma (Ones) Nelson. They moved to the maternal farm, and Eldon graduated from high school in Plymouth, Iowa, in 1946.  He enlisted in the Army and became a member of the 11th Airborne as a paratrooper.  He was a part of the occupation army of Japan before his discharge.

He met the love of his life, Virginia Ruffridge, while he attended Luther College (class of ‘53) in Decorah, Iowa.  They were wed at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa, on August 14, 1953.  After graduation, they moved to Wisconsin, where Eldon taught in Melrose and then Portage.  He retired from teaching in 1989 after three decades of service.

He is survived by his children, Jacalyn (Jim) Stavlo of West Salem, Eric (Sue) Nelson of Randolph; grandchildren, Joseph (Jami) Stavlo, Kim Stavlo, William (Kristin) Stavlo, Kristian Nelson, Emma Nelson; great-grandchildren, Blake Emery, Elizabeth Stavlo, Ava Stavlo, William Stavlo and Arthur Stavlo; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Virginia, and two sisters, Evelyn Braaten and Joyce Braaten.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.