REFLECTIONS
Are you kidding me?”
Yes, it is true that Milton “Mickey” Nelson walked long distances. You might say he walked and walked some more until he reached the final pinnacle of life.
Nelson, a resident of Clarks Grove, Minn., walked for over 100 miles before his 100th birthday four years ago and claimed that legacy of being a fast walker and a long distance one, at that.
Now, Nelson is walking with his Lord in Heaven. His wish was granted to have his funeral service be held on June 27, 2024, the 104th anniversary of his birth.
Nelson died on May 14, 2024, at Thorne Crest Nursing Home in Albert Lea at age 103. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove.
World War II vet
A World War II veteran, Nelson was quite proud. There aren’t many left, he would point out to his family and friends.
Mickey was well known for a challenge he made to himself and to others that he would walk 100 miles in 2020 before he reached his 100th birthday. He accomplished his goal and was treated to a Jeep convoy around Clarks Grove.
Nelson was very unassuming when he was made a small-town hero by his walk for charity. He did his walk about the same time a retired British soldier, Tom Moore, walked a long distance goal.
I was fortunate to have met Mickey before his 100th birthday. I was called by his daughter, Michelle Kelm of Faribault, who thought I might be interested in doing a feature on her father.
Mickey had already been featured on KARE 11’s Land of 10,000 stories. Boyd Huppert authored the piece.
I was more than excited to meet Nelson at his Clarks Gove home. As I arrived, I noticed a white car in the yard. Nelson’s two daughters, Michelle Kelm and Kathy Jensen, met me and said their dad was being interviewed by a television reporter from Iowa.
I was next in line to interview this soon-to-be personality.
Small town icon
Being a small town icon appealed to Nelson. He related his experiences of working in a gravel pit near Clarks Grove, and knowing my father, Willie Lestrud, who hauled gravel for local farmers.
With enthusiasm, Nelson told the story of his life to that point. It’s quite an accomplishment to reach 100, but it was even more impressive to see Nelson walking or even running sometimes around the village of Clarks Grove.
Nelson became a national figure and raised over $100,000 for the Salvation Army. The British walker, Tom Moore, raised millions, “but he used a walker,” Nelson said.
More and more people are reaching the magic number, ONE HUNDRED. Mark ONE HUNDRED FOUR on your calendar, and on June 27, 2024, pause and pay homage to Mickey Nelson.
Happy Birthday, Mickey.