Nelson, Leonard Allan of Edina, Minnesota passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022, at the age of 91. He was born on May 25, 1931, in St. Paul, Minnesota. After high school, Leonard joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany from 1948 to 1952. He then attended the University of Minnesota thanks to support from the GI Bill for which he remained grateful his entire life. He received his J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1960 and then began a legal career that included private law practice as well as serving in government positions. He was appointed as a federal administrative law judge and served in that role until his retirement at the age of 80 in 2011. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Anna (Johnson) Nelson, his brother Norman Nelson, and his sister Jeanette (Nelson) Revalee. Leonard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Grace (Fransen) Nelson, his three children, Ann Nelson Moulton (Ben), Bradley Nelson (Katie), and Heidi Nelson Young (Grant), and nine grandchildren: Haley, Tucker, and Chase Moulton; Graham, AJ, and Lindsay Nelson; and Anna, Jackie, and Wyatt Young. Leonard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by his family. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Aurora on France, Senior Home Health Care, and St. Croix Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Leonard in his final days. Leonard will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Published on December 11, 2022