Arnold A. Nelson

Arnold A. Nelson, age 85, of Rollingstone, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Emplify Health Hospital in La Crosse.

Born on August 14, 1940, in La Crosse, to Albin and Edith (Johnson) Nelson, and attended Winona schools. He furthered his education at the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, where he dedicated four years of training in tool and die as well as mechanical fabrication.

Arnold and Mechelle Bohn were united in marriage on August 13, 1966, in Winona, sharing over 59 years of loving companionship. Throughout his career, Arnold was employed with Lake Center/TRW and later with MecPro until he retired. He was a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Arnold will be fondly remembered for his love of long car rides, tractor pulls, antique cars, and he took pride in having built an entire tractor from scratch.

He was the beloved husband of Mechelle; father to Rachel and the late Steven; and he was the treasured Papa to Greta, Oliver, and Julian. Arnold is also survived by his sisters: Sonja (Donald) Buck and Susan Roffler; his brother, Wendell Nelson; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law: Julie Nelson and Karen Erickson; and brothers-in-law: Harold Erickson and Roger Roffler.

Visitation will be held at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., officiated by the Very Reverend Patrick Arens. Following the Mass, a luncheon and reception will take place at the Basilica. Arnold will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the Dialysis Unit of Winona Health, especially Mary Vang, as well as to Dr. Kyla Lee and her staff at Emplify Health in La Crosse for their exceptional care and kindness.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Arnold’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.