Richard G. Nelson

Rick was born on November 14, 1944, in Moose Lake, Minnesota, a son of the late Ray and Geraldine (Lundgren) Nelson. He entered the U.S. Navy after attending Northern Michigan University on a football scholarship, and he received an Honorable Medical Discharge.

Always kidded that he had been born with a motorcycle between his legs, Rick and his wife, Diana, owned and operated BSA of Marquette, Inc. from 1971-2018. A mechanical mastermind, Rick loved his work. For this reason, he worked until his health precluded him from doing so any longer.

He was not all work because the need for play was strong, especially his speed gene.

He won the 1970 Snowmobile Open Class World Championship in Eagle River, Wisconsin, and numerous other motorcycle and snowmobile races. He was a longtime defensive enforcer on the ice at men’s league hockey, and a founding member of the Chapter 411 Star Touring and Riding.

Community-minded, he was on the Sands Township Zoning Board of Appeals, taught catechism, and assisted the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue by providing specialized equipment before they had their own.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, the former Diana Hutchens whom he married on August 10, 1968, at St. Louis the King Catholic Church in Harvey; one daughter, Lyn Nelson, mother-in-law, Mary Hutchens; sister-in-law, Maxine Nelson: and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death besides his parents was a sister, Lana Lee, and a brother, John Nelson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 13, at 12 Noon in St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. The Nelson family will greet relatives and friends in the Bishop’s Room of the Cathedral from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Spring burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to U.P. Home Health and Hospice or the Bishop Baraga Association.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home of Marquette is assisting the Nelson family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.