Maurice Clifford Nelson's Obituary
Maurice Clifford “Cliff” Nelson – loving and beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather – passed peacefully from this world on June 28, 2023, at the age of 90.
Cliff was born on October 25, 1932, in Manistique, Michigan, to Mauritz Clifford Nelson and Ella Olive (Anderson) Nelson. “Juni” (Swedish for “Junior”) was an only son and the third of four children, along with his sisters Marilyn, Patricia, and Karen.
Cliff’s parents were first-generation Americans, and Cliff actually lived with his maternal grandparents through kindergarten, learning Swedish as his first language. His family moved briefly to Walhalla, North Dakota, before settling in the small town of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Growing up, Cliff had a large group of friends with whom he played a little football, a lot of golf, and saxophone in the Baraboo High School band. A lifelong Lutheran, Cliff was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Wisconsin Synod) in Baraboo.
Cliff earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and married his fellow Baraboo native, longtime friend, and sweetheart, Barbara Krumm, on June 23, 1956. Once Cliff completed his MBA, he joined General Electric (GE) Company, and the couple moved coast-to-coast with each job advancement for the next 25 years.
While based in Portland, Oregon, Cliff and Barb began their family with the adoption of Cindy and Greg, and completed it with Kristen’s adoption while they were living in Decatur, Illinois. When Cliff’s father grew ill, Cliff left GE and moved the family back to Baraboo to run his family’s retail children’s store, the Kiddie Kastle. Eventually, he returned to General Electric and Decatur, then on to Louisville, Kentucky.
Cliff traveled extensively – often internationally – for many years with GE, but left the company in 1978 to become a Vice President with Dallas-based Gardiner Denver, a leading drilling equipment manufacturer. Cliff stayed with the company until it was acquired by Cooper Industries, completing his career with years as a marketing consultant. He and Barb spent 45 years together in their north Dallas home, which Cliff dearly loved.
Cliff will be remembered for myriad wonderful qualities: his gentility, humility, kindness, courtesy, and integrity; his extreme love for animals, his country, the Wisconsin Badgers, the Green Bay Packers (he was a shareholder), and sweets; his creative eye, mischievous nature, and wisecracking sense of humor. Cliff was a quiet, Midwestern, salt-of-the-earth man who was an exceptional provider for his wife and family, and leaves them with a legacy of love, devotion, and gratitude for how blessed, lucky, and long his life was.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children Cindy Nelson of Justin, TX, Greg (Laurie) Nelson of Fort Myers, FL, and Kristen (Hank) Card of Austin, TX; his grandchildren Rachel and William Card, and Mark, Eric, and Greg Salter; his sisters Marilyn Quale, Patricia Hageman, and Karen (Gene) Putz; niece Barbara Daily and many other beloved nieces and nephews; and his constant companion for the past several years, his little dog Boo.
Cliff’s family wishes to thank Pastors McGuire and Douthwaite from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, as well as the gifted caregivers at the T. Boone Pickens Center/Faith Presbyterian Hospice, for their invaluable support and tender care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Cliff’s memory with a contribution to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (orlcs.com), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), or an animal support or rescue organization of your choice.
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