Milton Oscar Nelson, 98, of Mentz, Texas, passed away on July 23, 2026 in Columbus, Texas.

He was born on August 30, 1927 to William Herman Nelson and Tecla (Braden) Nelson. He was a lifelong resident of Bernardo, Texas. He graduated Columbus High School completing only 11 grades.

Milton wanted to join the Navy but the enlistment line was shorter for the Army therefore that is where he spent 1945 through1946. He never went through basic training since he was needed in the office in San Antonio. Af ter World War II ended approximately 2000 men were returning each day and he was in charge of discharging the servicemen. He was paid $75.00 a month and remembered hitch hiking to come home.

On November 6, 1948 he married Betty Jean Kretzschmar at St. Roch Catholic Church of Mentz. After marriage they lived in Columbus for a short period of time and then moved to Mentz.

During his lifetime he was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church, Herman Sons Life, American Legion, Woodman of the World and the Knights of Columbus.

Milton and Betty Jean were blessed with three wonderful sons. They loved to travel and visited many places, such as Canada/Niagara Falls, New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California/ The Rose Bowl Parade, Colorado, Disney Land, Disney World, Washington, D.C. and the Fall Foliage Tour through the New England states.

In his early years Milton spent many hours raising thousands of chickens and selling eggs. He remembered spending nights in the chicken house with Calvin Roensch helping to protect the chicks during bad weather especially during Hurricane Carla in 1961. As years passed he turned his interest to raising cattle. He spent many hours on his 3-wheeler tending them.

He was a very trusting man loved by many. He always said, “I lived in a time when a hand shake was good.” He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend respected by all.

Milton is survived by his sons David R. Nelson and wife Arlene and Travis M. Nelson and wife Marilyn; grandchildren Stacy Hendry and husband Aaron, Kristen Novicke and husband Nick, Derek Nelson and wife Brianne, Dusty Nelson and wife Melissa, Bradley Nelson and wife Regina, Brent Nelson and wife Melissa, and Britni Corliss and husband Dustin; great grandchildren Kallan, Kasen and Kyler Hendry, Ella and Hudson Novicke, Ryder, Reegan, Reed and Rhett Nelson, Hailey and Drew Nelson, Bexley and Rinley Nelson, Kimber and Jade Nelson, and Bristol and Brie Kotrla.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Tecla Nelson; wife Betty Jean Nelson; son John (Randy) Nelson; sister Willfern Nelson, brother William Nelson and wife Wilma, brother J.D. Nelson and wife Ruby; sisters Vernell Kucherka and husband Wilbert, and Rubylean Sebesta and husband Roy.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas. A prayer service and rosary will follow at 7:00 PM.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Roch Catholic Church in Mentz, Texas. Fr. James Dvorak will be officiating.

Burial will take place in St. Roch Catholic Cemetery in Mentz, Texas. Pallbearers are Bradley Nelson, Brent Nelson, Dustin Corliss, Aaron Hendry, Nick Novicke, Derek Nelson, and Dusty Nelson.

Memorials may be given to St. Roch Catholic Church Capital Improvement Fund, 1600 Frelsburg Rd., Alleyton, TX 78935 or Bernardo Fire Department, 2845 Fm 949, Cat Spring, Tx. 78933.

In his final days he was surrounded by his family whom he loved very much. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Bart Klaus, the staff of Columbus Community Hospital and the TLC Nursing Home. He thought of the staff as his second family.

As Milton would say, “Always do your level best.” Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.