Ahh, geez, so sad...
Hard to read the above, Nels was a great guy and just smiled when asked for advice.
The first time I had the pleasure, and it was a pleasure, to meet Nels was at a Buckskinner Rendevous held at a small county park North of Steamboat Rock, Southwest of Ackley. We had all been shooting and swapping "...true as told to me..." stories as we all leaned up against Gary Garwood's (Maker of Spring Valley Lodges) Tipi in the late Fall afternoon sun and shade. Gary passed long ago but was just like Nels, always happy to share advice and support.
Gary and one of his buddies had fur hats on, Nels had a cloth slouch hat and I had a red Scottish-style beret on my wifey had crafted for me. Somebody said "Nels, you'd look good in his hat!", grabbed it off my head and tossed it to Nels, he took his off and tossed it to Gary, Gary took his off and tossed it to me and the 'Flying Hat Toss and Giggle Fest' began! We didn't stop tossing and cackling for almost a 1/2 hour, stopping only to refill our cups and mugs with liquid fuel. I've got a pic around here someplace of us with a different hat on but can't locate it now, just the memory of the hat tossing and giggling brings a tear to my old eyes. Surprisingly we all got our own hats back after an evening of pretending we were someone else, what a hoot!
Nels, you'll be remembered by your smile, laughter and hat by this 'ol fart, God bless you!
Best regards and never stop thinking of the 'Good old Days'!
'Ol Gabe
NCOWS#925