ALVIN AUGUST NELSON of Burlington, Colorado, died February 17,
2000. He was born on June 12,1924, at Arickaree, Colorado, the
eldest child of August and Macie Salior Nelson.
Alvin grew up in the Cope, Colorado, area helping his dad with a
shelling and threshing ring and working for area farmers. He loved
to reminisce about his years working with a custom harvest crew. He
met his future wife, Eleonora Johnson, in North Dakota while
working with a custom harvest crew. They were married in Lakewood,
Colorado, December 5, 1948.
Alvin went to work for the Colorado Department of Highways in
1952 and retired in 1983 after 31 years of service. His favorite
job during this time was plowing snow, and eastern Colorado weather
provided him plenty of opportunity to enjoy the job.
After retirement he opened a lawn mower and small engine repair
shop known as Big Al’s Engines, where he continued buying,
repairing and restoring engines. One of his first engines was a
John Deere E acquired from his wife’s family farm. Alvin
belonged to the Tri-State Antique Engine and Engineers in Bird
City, Kansas, and displayed his engines there for many years. He
also enjoyed taking his engines to the Kit Carson County Fair, the
Old Threshers Show in Yuma, Colorado, the Olde Tyme Saturday
Celebration in Vernon, Colorado, and at the Cope and Akron,
Colorado Centennial Celebrations.
Alvin was preceded in death by his parents and one infant
brother. Those left to mourn his passing are his wife of 51 years,
Eleonora, his two daughters and their husbands, Sybil Nelson and
George Reese of Akron, Colorado, Carla Nelson-Hall and Dave Hall of
Falcon, Colorado, and one granddaughter, Amanda Hall; one brother,
Myron and his wife Mattie Nelson, of Salome, Arkansas; many other
relatives and a host of friends.
The celebration of the life of Alvin A. Nelson was held at the
Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. Alvin will be greatly missed
by his family, friends and fellow antique engine and tractor
collector buddies.
Submitted by Norm Hays, 23875 Road Z, Vernon, Colorado
80755.