Herbert Wayne Nelson, Sr., “Meme gwesi” which means little people, 66 years young of Ponemah, Minnesota and the Awaasi sisii (Bullhead) Clan journeyed to the spirit world on September 12, 2018. He was born on July 18, 1952 in Red Lake, MN to Naomi (Cloud) and George Nelson. Herbert grew up in Mountain Iron.
He eventually moved to Ponemah to stay with his Aunt Ella Kingbird and her family until he graduated from Red Lake High School in 1970. Later that year he met Connie Raincloud. Connie and Herbert were married in 1975 and were blessed with five sons.
They later divorced in 1997. Herbert was a logger and commercial fisherman before moving to Minneapolis. While in Minneapolis he worked for a furniture company and had other various jobs.
Herbert eventually returned to his hometown of Ponemah to settle down. He met his wife Romona “Mona” and the two of them were married in Las Vegas on February 20, 2010. He worked for JTPA as Ponemah Maintenance Grounds and worked for Red Lake Housing until May of 2018.
When Herbert wasn’t working he enjoyed working on cars, going to different casinos, his garden and his yard. Herbert liked going to stock car races and was the #1 fan of car #74, which was driven by his brother Gary Nelson, Sr., and nephews Gary Nelson, Jr. and Gary James Nelson. He especially enjoyed spending time with his little buddy, helper and special grandson “nii yo binese”.
Herbert loved his wife, children and grandchildren, great grandchildren and step grandchildren with all his heart. He was very happy when family stopped to visit. He is welcomed to the spirit world by his parents; Naomi Cloud-Nelson and George Nelson, grandparents; Margaret and Everett Cloud, aunts; Viola Camprude, Ella Kingbird and Helma Erle, uncle; Charlie Cloud, step daughter; Tanya Kingbird and many more relatives.
Family he leaves behind are his wife Romona “Mona” (Kingbird) Nelson of Ponemah, sons; Garrett (Elva) Nelson, Tyson Nelson, Michael (Zorana) Nelson, Sr., Herbert (Farrah) Nelson, Jr. and Jerrett (Gena Nelson all of Ponemah, sisters; Dorothy (Jack) Nelson and Anita Nelson, brothers; Roy (Arlys) Nelson, Sr., Gary (Beverly) Nelson, Sr. and Paul Nelson, step son; Bob Kingbird, special grandson; Jaden Kingbird “nii yo binese”, 20 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three step-grandchildren all of Ponemah, many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. The wake for Herbert will begin at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 20th and continue until his 10:00 a.m. traditional service on Saturday, September 22nd all to be held at the Boys and Girls Club in Ponemah, MN. Zac Earley will be his Spiritual Advisor with help from Ben Bonga, David Manuel and Ty Stately.
Pallbearers will be Corey Nelson, Justin Nelson, Herbert Nelson III, Gary James Nelson, Gary Nelson, Jr. and Todd Stillday. Alternate pallbearers are Matthew Johnson, Curtis Erle and Russell Erle, Jr. His honorary pallbearers are Jerome Graves, Roderick Whitefeather, Bruce Dow, Sr., Marcel Johnson, Jr. and all of the Red Lake Housing Staff. Interment will be in the Family Burial Grounds at Ponemah, MN immediately following his service.
Herbert’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.
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