Bruce Willard Nelson was born on December 1, 1928, in Storden, Minnesota to Emil and Selma (Wollom) Nelson. He moved to Windom in 1932 with his family. He was baptized and confirmed at American Lutheran Church in Windom. He graduated from Windom High School in 1946. After high school, Bruce attended Mankato Commercial College from 1947 to 1948. He became employed as a bookkeeper for Windom Cooperative Association from 1948 to 1951. In 1951, Bruce entered the United States Army and served in Korea during the Korean War. After returning from Korea, Bruce attended Worthington Junior College and in 1955 he graduated with an Associate in Arts degree and in 1958 he graduated from Mankato State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and accounting. He was then admitted to practice as a Certified Public Accountant and was employed in accounting and tax work for over 50 years in Windom. On August 12, 1961, Bruce was united in marriage to Marilyn Knutson at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapidan, Minnesota. They made their home on a farm in Delafield Township, Jackson County, for 40 years until they moved into Windom in 2001. Marilyn passed away on March 29, 2003. Bruce continued living in Windom and in December of 2010 he became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society - Sogge Memorial in Windom where he passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the age of 82. Bruce was a lifelong member of American Lutheran Church in Windom, serving as a deacon, church treasurer, trust fund treasurer for 17 years, and usher. He was a member of Windom Posts of the American Legion, Prudence Lodge Masons of Windom, and various accounting organizations. Bruce enjoyed reading, gardening with his wife, and pheasant hunting in his younger years. Bruce is survived by cousins and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn; brother, Dean Nelson; and sister, Evon Nelson. Blessed be the memory of Bruce W. Nelson.