Nelso M. Balestri, 99, of Rockford, IL, passed away Monday, December 15, 2014 at his home in Siena on Brendenwood. Nelso was born October 24, 1915, to Silvio and Stella (Pelligrini) Balestri in Rockford. He was a 1933 graduate of Rockford High School. He married Betty Jane Brown on December 29, 1956, in Rockford. “Nels” worked for Barber-Colman Company for 48 years, retiring in 1983 as Quality Control Manager. He was a member of Bethesda Covenant Church, where he served many roles, including Chairman of Trustees. Nels belonged to the YMCA Retired Men’s Club, Rockford Memorial Hospital Volunteers, the Blackhawk Trails Club, and the American Society of Tool & Manufacturing Engineers (past Chairman).
Nels led a full, active life. He loved reading, playing bridge, and adventure. Together with Betty, he traveled the world. When Nels was 72 years old, they canoed a portion of the Mississippi River; when he was 74, they toured Holland on bicycles; at 80, they whitewater-rafted the Snake River; and at 81, they circled the globe on a container ship. Nels was a kind and caring man; he and Betty were long-term foster parents for seven children and provided emergency overnight care for over 100 more.
Survivors include his beloved wife Betty; sisters Leona Tindell and Bette Patterson; daughter Becky; sons Ray, David, and Brian; daughters-in-law Heather (Macy), Sarah, and Lori; and grandchildren Danny, Erin, Corrin, Julia, Jill, Hannah, Quentin, and Julian. Nels was predeceased by his sister Mae Ingram.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2014, in Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104 with Rev. David Wood officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Fred C Olson Chapel 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford
Nels led a full, active life. He loved reading, playing bridge, and adventure. Together with Betty, he traveled the world. When Nels was 72 years old, they canoed a portion of the Mississippi River; when he was 74, they toured Holland on bicycles; at 80, they whitewater-rafted the Snake River; and at 81, they circled the globe on a container ship. Nels was a kind and caring man; he and Betty were long-term foster parents for seven children and provided emergency overnight care for over 100 more.
Survivors include his beloved wife Betty; sisters Leona Tindell and Bette Patterson; daughter Becky; sons Ray, David, and Brian; daughters-in-law Heather (Macy), Sarah, and Lori; and grandchildren Danny, Erin, Corrin, Julia, Jill, Hannah, Quentin, and Julian. Nels was predeceased by his sister Mae Ingram.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2014, in Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104 with Rev. David Wood officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Fred C Olson Chapel 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford
Nelso M. Balestri, 99, of Rockford, IL, passed away Monday, December 15, 2014 at his home in Siena on Brendenwood. Nelso was born October 24, 1915, to Silvio and Stella (Pelligrini) Balestri in Rockford. He was a 1933 graduate of Rockford High School. He married Betty Jane Brown on December 29, 1956, in Rockford. “Nels” worked for Barber-Colman Company for 48 years, retiring in 1983 as Quality Control Manager. He was a member of Bethesda Covenant Church, where he served many roles, including Chairman of Trustees. Nels belonged to the YMCA Retired Men’s Club, Rockford Memorial Hospital Volunteers, the Blackhawk Trails Club, and the American Society of Tool & Manufacturing Engineers (past Chairman).
Nels led a full, active life. He loved reading, playing bridge, and adventure. Together with Betty, he traveled the world. When Nels was 72 years old, they canoed a portion of the Mississippi River; when he was 74, they toured Holland on bicycles; at 80, they whitewater-rafted the Snake River; and at 81, they circled the globe on a container ship. Nels was a kind and caring man; he and Betty were long-term foster parents for seven children and provided emergency overnight care for over 100 more.
Survivors include his beloved wife Betty; sisters Leona Tindell and Bette Patterson; daughter Becky; sons Ray, David, and Brian; daughters-in-law Heather (Macy), Sarah, and Lori; and grandchildren Danny, Erin, Corrin, Julia, Jill, Hannah, Quentin, and Julian. Nels was predeceased by his sister Mae Ingram.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2014, in Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104 with Rev. David Wood officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Fred C Olson Chapel 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford
Nels led a full, active life. He loved reading, playing bridge, and adventure. Together with Betty, he traveled the world. When Nels was 72 years old, they canoed a portion of the Mississippi River; when he was 74, they toured Holland on bicycles; at 80, they whitewater-rafted the Snake River; and at 81, they circled the globe on a container ship. Nels was a kind and caring man; he and Betty were long-term foster parents for seven children and provided emergency overnight care for over 100 more.
Survivors include his beloved wife Betty; sisters Leona Tindell and Bette Patterson; daughter Becky; sons Ray, David, and Brian; daughters-in-law Heather (Macy), Sarah, and Lori; and grandchildren Danny, Erin, Corrin, Julia, Jill, Hannah, Quentin, and Julian. Nels was predeceased by his sister Mae Ingram.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2014, in Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104 with Rev. David Wood officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Fred C Olson Chapel 1001 Second Avenue, Rockford
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