Roger C. Nelson

A Funeral Service for Roger C. Nelson of Roseau, MN will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:00AM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Moe-Rose Cemetery in Roseau, MN. 

Roger Carl Nelson passed away on Thursday, March 19, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN. He was 74 years old.

Roger was born on May 5, 1951, in Roseau, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Rose Lutheran Church and attended school in Roseau before continuing his education at Northland Technical School, where he studied auto mechanics. In 1971, he married Eleanor Block of Roseau, and together they had three children: Mary Jo, Stephen, and Kari.

Roger and Eleanor owned and operated Roger’s Body Shop in Fox, MN. It was during those years that he discovered his passion for flying. After earning his pilot’s license, he purchased two airplanes, built a hangar and private runway on the family farm, and soon “Nelson’s Field” became a familiar name among local aviators who gathered there for regular fly‑in breakfasts. In the fall of 1980, he applied his mechanical skills to restoring a 1946 Champ—a project that quickly became a beloved family and neighborhood effort. Flying grew into one of the great loves of his life. He learned aerobatics, joined the International Aerobatics Club, and performed in air shows across the United States and Canada—most famously completing a car‑top landing. Aviation was truly in his blood.

In his mid‑30s, Roger moved to Chandler, AZ, where he opened a diesel repair shop, owned a beauty salon, and sold airplane paint. In 1987, he married Cindy Dale of Altoona, PA, and together they welcomed two sons, Brian and Kyle. Roger later settled in Casa Grande, AZ, became a certified airplane mechanic, and purchased a hangar in Eloy. There he repaired and restored airplanes, rented aircraft to sightseeing pilots, and met people from around the world—especially skydivers drawn to Eloy’s renowned skydiving school.

As his business grew, he relocated to Casa Grande Municipal Airport and purchased two hangars. This expansion allowed him to operate as a full Fixed Base Operator, offering fueling, mechanical services, salvage parts, flight instruction, and concierge support. He hosted annual fly‑ins that drew pilots from across the country and especially treasured visits from friends and neighbors from Roseau who wintered in Arizona.

In 2002, while living in Casa Grande, Roger suffered a bleeding aneurysm and later a stroke. His children moved him and his loyal companion dog, Spooky, back to Minnesota to ensure he received the care he needed. They soon found a wonderful private residential group home, where Roger and Spooky lived with caregivers Nelly and Deb, who lovingly supported him for more than 20 years. During that time, Roger enjoyed visits with family, trips to Roseau, outings to the Minnesota State Fair, rides in his grandson’s GTO, watching westerns, and the peace of country living in Monticello, MN.

Roger is survived by his children: Mary Jo (fiancé Mike Sofie) Nelson of Cottage Grove, MN; Kari (Chris Werner) Nelson of Buffalo, MN; Brian Nelson; and Kyle (Amanda) Nelson of Fergus Falls, MN. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Cody Nelson; Chase and Cooper Werner; Annabelle, Archie, and Thor Nelson; and Mavrick, Wyatt, Blaze, Octavia, and Waylan Nelson.

He is survived by his siblings: Luanne Baumgartner of Roseau, MN; Marie and Bert McDonough of Edina, MN; Mona and Mark Hangsleben of South Dakota; Terry and Jack Lundbohm of Roseau, MN; Jerry and Carol Nelson of Foss, OK; and Valerie and Keith Hedlund of Bloomington, MN. He is also survived by aunts Jan Herseth‑Carr and Beverly Tirrell, and aunt and uncle Daphne and Curtis Thompson, as well as many nieces, nephews, grand‑nieces, grand‑nephews, and cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his first wife Eleanor, his son Stephen, and many aunts and uncles.

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