Raymond 'Swede' A. Nelson

Raymond A. "Swede" Nelson, 100, of Sioux City, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2014, at home.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Rev. Daniel Rupp officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Raymond "Swede" Nelson was born Dec. 24, 1913, in Sioux City, the son of Axel and Lorentze (Soleglad) Nelson. Swede attended Everett and West Junior. In 1932, he graduated from Central High School, where he played on the football team. During the 1930s, he played a lot of basketball and softball, and boxed in the Golden Gloves.
He married Maxine Baxter, who died only a few months later. On Dec. 13, 1947, he married Dorothy Marie Fennell in Sioux City. Dorothy died June 20, 2001.
Ray worked at various grocery stores, at Avery Brothers Sign Company, and at bars in Sioux City. He owned and operated Swede's Lounge in Sioux City for 20 years.
He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and served as an usher at the church for many years. He belonged to the Blessed Sacrament Men's Club, the Eagles Club, "Boys of '68," Calix Society, and the Senior Citizens Center.
Swede enjoyed coaching kids baseball, starting in the late '50s, through the '60s, and into the '70s. He coached several championship teams. He was a strong union man and belonged to three unions: the bartenders, painters and billposters unions. Swede was also well known for playing the Musical Bottles at his bar. Later in life, Swede became a friend of Bill's, where he was known for his stories and good sense of humor.
Survivors include his children, Meg Nelson of Sioux City, Jim of Iowa City, Iowa, Bob (Nancy) of Sioux City, Ray (Marta) of Wayne, Neb., Mike of Sioux City, Jeannie (Jim) Schlichte of Granville, Iowa, and Barb (Tim) Tushla of Sioux City; grandchildren, Derrick (Teari) Haefs, Neil Haefs, Jason (Janelle) Nelson, Zachary (Lisa) Nelson, Meghan (Ryan) Allen, Eric (Melissa) Nelson, Gregory Nelson, Catherine Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Jeremy (Kristi) Nelson, Matt (Dawn) Nelson, Adam Schlichte, Austin Schlichte and Maxwell Tushla; six great-granddaughters; and six great-grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; a son in infancy, John Edward; two grandsons, Benjamin Carlson and Daniel Nelson; and siblings, Betty Barrett, Simond Nelson, Thordis White, Harold Nelson, Agnes Green and Astrid O'Neill.
A special thanks to Monsignor Roger Augustine and the Rev. Merlin Schrad for their guidance and support; the staff of North Park for their loving care; and Hospice of Siouxland staff for their support.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name for Blessed Sacrament Church and Queen of Peace.