John Robert Nelson, 78, of Cambridge, MN and longtime resident of Hibbing/Chisholm, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  John was born on January 12, 1947 and was the son of George and Leola (Roed) Nelson.  He graduated from Hibbing High School in 1965 and attended Hibbing Junior College. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and served four years in Wakkanai, Japan and Alamogordo, New Mexico.  John was united in marriage to Patricia DeLuca in 1970 and they were blessed with 54 years together. 

John started his career in real estate which included property management and many years managing Builders Lumber.  John was an active member within his community.  He served as president of the Prior Lake Jaycees and the Minnesota Museum of Mining.  He was a board member of the Salvation Army and Lee Center as well the American Legion Post 247 in Chisholm. Through the years, John was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Hibbing, Grace Lutheran Church in Chisholm and Joy Lutheran Church in Cambridge. 

John was a devoted husband, father, & papa.  He had a great love for sports including hunting, golf, and watching Hibbing High School or college hockey.  He loved life at the lake – especially pontoon rides, splitting/stacking wood, bon fires, and mornings sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee.  He spent summer days golfing at the Muni either in the Senior Men’s league, with friends, or with his grandsons.  He also loved classic cars and enjoyed driving Winter Frolic Titans and princesses in summer parades for several years.  John never missed a chance to joke around or give someone a hard time with his quick wit!

John was the loving father of Kelly (Ben) Arneson and Sarah (Cody) Gamble and was the proud papa of 6 grandchildren:  Noah, Eli, Wyatt, Levi, Leah, and Livia.  John was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer and his parents.  He is further survived by his sister, Sharon(Jim) Haynes, and extended family, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.    

Visitation will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Chisholm on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing. 

Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing.  To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.