Kelly Clark Nelson of Cable, Wisconsin, took his final flight into God’s arms on November 11, 2023.
Kelly was born on March 10, 1959 in Pierre, South Dakota, to Barbara and Iver Nelson. He grew up in Crandon, Wisconsin, with his younger sisters Kaye and KC. Kelly attended Crandon High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. Off the field, Kelly was chosen for Badger Boys State in 1976, President of his class as a junior, President of the Student Council as a senior, and President of the Letterman’s Club.
After graduating high school, Kelly would go on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, majoring in communications. While working his way through school waiting tables, Kelly would meet the love of his life, Kerri (née Rykal). They were married on September 4, 1982, and recently celebrated their 41st anniversary. Kerri brought out the best in him and was his angel. She was his companion through the good times and the hard times, and there was no one else he would have wanted by his side. Together they enjoyed touring Wisconsin’s supper clubs, taking trips in the airplane, going to Packer and Badger games, practicing ballroom dancing in the hangar, and taking in sunsets on the lake.
After they graduated college, they moved to the Twin Cities area. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Kelly found his calling when he was hired as an air traffic controller by the FAA in 1985. Over his 41 years of service, he rose to the position of Air Traffic Manager at the Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center in Farmington, overseeing operations at a facility responsible for 389,779 square miles of airspace. During his career, he developed a reputation as tough but fair, and he earned the respect of his peers. Kelly took great pride in his work and made many lifelong friends during his time with the FAA.
Kelly and Kerri would welcome their first child, Nicholas, in March of 1988, and their second, Samantha, in September of 1990. They built a house in River Falls, Wisconsin, in 1992 where they would raise their children. He will be fondly remembered as a father who would do anything for his family; staying up after a night shift to see his kids off to school, rearranging his schedule so he could take them to their hockey game or basketball tournament, or driving hundreds of miles to help them move. Family was the most important thing to him, and it showed in his actions. Life in the Nelson household was filled with wrestling matches, playing ball in the yard, movie nights, weekends at the cabin, and Spring Break trips that were usually to the only places he could find that were somehow colder than River Falls. In 2019, Kelly gained a daughter-in-law who could keep him in line, Katie (nee Wilson), and in 2021, a son-in-law, Tyler Flanum, who is one of the few people that could match Kelly’s passion for flying. In December of 2022, Kelly became a grandfather, with the birth of Sami and Tyler’s daughter, Amelia, who instantly became the apple of his eye.
Kelly retired in 2016, and he and Kerri moved up Cable, Wisconsin, fulfilling his dream of building his retirement home on Lake Namakagon. After years of dreaming, looking at classifieds, videos, and his annual pilgrimages to EAA Airventure at Oshkosh, Kelly finally purchased his own airplane, a Cessna 182, in 2017. In retirement, Kelly was still active as a member of the Cable Union Airport board, where he had built a hangar for his plane. He enjoyed the tradition of hosting and flying-in to pancake breakfasts and hamburger socials held at the many small airports in the upper midwest, giving rides in his plane, and sharing his passion for aviation. He was also a member of the Namakagon Volunteer Fire Department and took pride in finding meaningful ways he could give back to his community. He made many great friends during his time in the Cable area, despite his self-professed distaste for “talking to people”.
Kelly loved a good cup of coffee, especially sitting in an adirondack chair looking out over the lake in the mornings when everything was calm. He was an avid trash talker, particularly over a heated family game of dominoes. He was a proud Packers Shareholder and saw them win four Super Bowls, something he liked to remind his friends and colleagues who were Vikings fans. He was also a fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and listening to “the Ueke” call Brewers games on the radio. He loved the peace and quiet of fishing and the roar of a plane’s engine in equal measure. He was a man who quoted Lombardi, Emerson, and the movies Top Gun and Stripes in similar proportions. Kelly was extraordinarily self-disciplined, except around his wife’s desserts. He was a fiercely proud Wisconsinite, and his happy place was among the lakes of the Northwoods where he grew up. Through hard work and sacrifice, Kelly was the rare person who truly made his dreams come true. He was a man of integrity and principle, a true friend, a loving father, and a devoted husband.
A Celebration of Kelly’s Life was held at White Eagle Golf Club (316 White Eagle Trail) in Hudson, Wisconsin, on Sunday November 26th. Memorial and visitation took place from 1:00-3:00pm with a short service beginning at 3:00pm. Visitation continued after the service until 6:00pm. If you were unable to attend, the service will be posted online at a later date, or you can remember Kelly as he would’ve wanted: over a glass of Leinie’s, Guinness, or a few fingers of Jameson.
A Memorial Service was also held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 5:30PM at Saint Ann Catholic Church (13645 County Hwy M Cable, WI 54821).
Kelly is preceded in death by his parents Barb and Iver. He is survived by his wife Kerri, his sisters Kaye Mickelson (wife of Joel) and KC Nelson, his daughter Sami Flanum, her husband Tyler and his granddaughter Amelia, as well as his son Nick and his wife Katie.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
17 Comments
Kerri and family,
I am very sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know Kelly a bit through the Cable Union Airport Commission and also the local EAA chapter. Kelly was such a nice person, very modest even though very sharp. Kelly taught me a few things about flying and airplane maintenance. Life certainly is not fair. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Kerri and Family,
I was deeply saddened and truly heartbroken to learn of Kelly’s passing. The three decades we worked together were some of the most rewarding years of my life. First as coworkers/co-conspirators and then, as he (no surprise to anyone) catapulted up the chain-of-command, to happily work under his direction and leadership. Yep, he was really good at his chosen profession. Some of my favorite times spent with Kelly were just before I retired and we were both setting our plans for building our retirement homes. Mine in the Brainerd Minnesota lakes area, and his on your Lake Namakagon site. When business for the day was done, we would lay out our latest construction drawings on his desk, exchange ideas, and I could see in his eyes how excited he was about making it all a reality. So glad you both were able to have these last (far too few) years sharing retirement together. He was a great man.So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss, Kerri. Our condolences ❤️
Kerri and family…..
We’re so terribly sorry to hear about your husband, father. You have our deepest sympathy. If you need anything Kerri….please don’t hesitate.
Love, Cheryl & Carol
Kerri and family- we are so sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. We know he left behind some wonderful memories for you to look back on and an immense number of people who’s lives he touched for you to turn to in this time of grief. Our sincerest sympathy to all of you.
Kerri,
We are so sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish we were still living near you to help you through this difficult time. Kelly was a wonderful person, and both Jeff and I are honored to have had the pleasure of knowing him. Much love, Patty & Jeff
Kerri,
I am so sorry for your loss. Love and peace to you and your family.
Kerri and family,
I’m so sorry for your lose. I did not know Kelly well, but it sounds like he was a great friend and family man. While you grieve now, think of all the good times you’ve had in your life together. Hopefully, that will ease some of the pain you are going through.
Kerri you and Kelly were one of our very first friends in Minnesota . We had so much fun back in the day. Your friendship was special then as it is now and always will be. We are so sorry for your loss. Kelly will be missed deeply. Love you!!
So very sorry for your loss. Kelly and I started our ATC careers on the same day. He was not only professional at every stage of his career, but a great guy to have as a friend. Anne and I offer our sincere condolences to your entire family.
Kerri and family
So sorry for your loss. May your memories of the love and laughter you shared comfort you . God bless and my prayers to everyone.
Kerri,
Kelly was already in management at ZMP when I met him. He was always fair, knowledgeable, and a man of integrity. Mostly though, I considered Kelly to be a friend. I feel privileged to have known him. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to you, Kerri, and your whole family.
Thank you all so much!
Dear Kaye, Kerri, KC and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of a wonderful human being, Kelly. Seems like such a short time ago that I watched Kerri & Kelly twirl around at their wedding (in those gorgeous lace gloves!). Or the memorable Hawaiin visit we all shared. And what a blessing to have visited with him at Clay’s wedding so recently. Always the gentleman. Kaye, I will reach out to you separately, but your eulogy was moving and loving. I’m so grateful that his service was recorded and posted. xo
What an absolutely beautiful tribute to Kelly! I’m sorry to hear of his passing. I met Kelly back in 1979 through my cousin, John Kincaid, and often wondered where life took him. Watching the video and reading his obituary it appears his life was wonderful. I hope his family has found comfort. So much to be thankful for having him in your life. Peace to all.
Just got sad news of Kelly’s passing. As ZMP/MSP co-worker and fellow 3CU aviator I am fairly devastated. Best to you Kerri and family, Kelly was a fine guy and will miss him.
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