Howard Payne Nelson

Howard Payne Nelson was born on June 24, 1930 and passed away on July 17, 2024.

Howard was born in St. Paul to Otto E. and Margaret Hill Nelson. He attended primary and secondary public schools in St. Paul and graduated in 1947 as president of his senior class.

After attending Hastings College and the University of Nebraska, Howard began a teaching career. Shortly after that, he moved to Santa Monica, California and began his long career with Sears Roebuck. He later met his future wife, LaDonna (Mickey) Olson, on a blind date in Malibu. They later married and had two children, Wesley and Carrie Nelson. During the next twenty- five years, they moved a number of times, as Howard was a general and operating manager for multiple Sears locations. During his career, Howard was elected president of both Las Vegas and La Quinta Rotary Clubs. He also served on a number of boards of directors for realtors, chambers of commerce, and the boy scouts.

After an early retirement, Howard and La-Donna (Mickey) entered a career in real estate in both Carmel and La Quinta, California. They eventually retired to Lake Havasu City, Arizona before returning to southern California to be closer to his daughter and her family. In their retirement, Howard and LaDonna (Mickey) thrived in senior tennis leagues and were fivetime gold medalists in the California Senior Games. The also played in the National Senior games in Stanford and Houston.

Howard was preceded in death by his son, Wesley; his parents; his wife, LaDonna (Mickey); his brother, Harlan “Bud” Nelson of Grand Island; and his sister, Jean Quanz of San Jose.

He is survived by his daughter, Carrie; son-inlaw, Michael Brown; and grandchildren, Shane and Allison Brown.

In lieu of flowers, Howard had asked donations be made to your local youth sports league.

The Phonograph-Herald | August 7, 2024