Carl F. Nelson, 85, of Mayetta, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. He retired in 1984 from full time duty with the Kansas Army National Guard where he had attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four. His duties in the guard ranged from wrecker operator and mechanic to Quality Control Supervisor and then as Recruiting and Retention Specialist. He also participated in the National Guard competitive marksmanship program where he earned the U.S. Army's Distinguished Rifleman Award and 2 awards of the President's 100 Designation in 1964 & 1966.

He was a firing member of the very first All-National Guard team in 1964 and was then selected as a coach for the developing years while this composite National Guard Team trained together in order to compete on a national level with the regular service teams.

Carl was further decorated with the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and 3 awards. He also received the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal and 3 awards.

Following retirement from the National Guard, Carl and his daughter Carol organized the CN Cattle Company as a partnership with a cow-calf operation. He also established Nelson's Retail Liquor in Mayetta, which he ran with his wife, Velma from 1978 – 1993. His daughter, Carol now runs the family business.

Carl was a member of the Mayetta Christian Church, American Legion Post #44 in Holton, Masonic Lodge #393, OES #383 in Mayetta, 33º Scottish Rites and National Guard Retired Shooters Assoc. Carl was a founder and member for Pioneer Days and Mayetta Business Assoc. He volunteered at the Museum of the National Guard in Topeka for several years.

Carl was born October 2, 1928 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Carl F. and Marcia B. (Murphy) Nelson. His parents returned to Manhattan, KS in 1932. He attended the Manhattan public school and attended Kansas State University form 1946 – 1947. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1975 from Columbia College in Columbia, MO and in 1977 did graduate study in Public Administration at the University of Kansas.

He married Velma G. Chalmers on February 18, 1950 in Manhattan, KS. She preceded him in death on March 18, 2005. He later married Libia Amparo Hernandez-Torres in December 2010 at the Museum of the National Guard in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include 2 daughters, Patricia L. McGee of Cheyenne, WY and Carol J. Nelson (Lupe Gamino) of Mayetta, KS; a foster-son, Luis M. Guerrero of Cali, Columbia South America; a step-daughter, Angela Maria Tabares of Mayetta, KS; 2 grandchildren, Micki Austin and J.D McGee (Yvonne) and 5 great-grandchildren, Courtney, Charmayne, Bretta Austin, Gavyn and Dylan Bates.

Funeral Services with Masonic Rites will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with full military honors will be at the Mayetta Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. Memorials may be given to the Museum of the National Guard c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton ,KS 66436.