Nelson A. Magnuson
May 19, 1925 - November 22, 2006
Obituary
Nelson A Magnuson
Born May 19, 1925 in Denver, CO, passed away at home in Burien, WA on Nov. 22, 2006. He will be deeply missed by his family- Alice, his wife of 60 years, his children Louaine, Carl and Jan, his grandchildren Veronica and Roxanne, and other extended family members. He was a WWI veteran, and has been the owner of South End Auto Wrecking since 1953, so will also be missed by his many friends and business associates. There will be no memorial service; if desired, donations may be sent to Highline Hospice Services, 12844 Military Road South, Tukwila, WA 98168.
Nels was one of “The Greatest Generation”; he was born in Denver, CO in 1925 to Catherine Bosko Magnuson and Carl Albert Magnuson, and he had an older sister Arlene Magnuson. The family moved to Seattle, WA when Nels and Arlene were children, and in elementary school he got to know another younger student, Alice Johnson.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was called to duty in 1944 during WWII, where he served overseas and was wounded in the battle of Iwo Jima. He spent several months in the hospital in Hawaii and then was discharged and returned home to Seattle.
Not long after, he started dating Alice Johnson, the little girl with the blue bike from elementary school. They were married on Sept. 21, 1946 and Alice Johnson was then Alice Magnuson.
Alice and Nels moved back to Denver, CO where Nels attained his BA at the University of Colorado, and their first child Louaine Arlene Magnuson was born. The family returned to Seattle and lived in the west Seattle area, where their second child Carl Albert Magnuson and their third child Janice Carol Magnuson were born. The family moved to a brand new house in Burien in 1959, which is the family home to this day.
In 1953, Nels started South End Auto Wrecking in the South Park area of Seattle, and later moved it to Renton. He started a second wrecking yard in Auburn, and a third in Puyallup which was later sold. Nels was known for being inventive and progressive in the auto wrecking industry, and had many friends and knew many people in the business. He never formally retired, and even at 81 years of age, continued going to the wrecking yard almost every day up until a month before his passing.
His granddaughter Veronica Arlene Magnuson was born in 1984 and granddaughter Roxanne Elise Magnuson was born in 1986.
Nels has many family members still in Colorado and also in the Seattle area. His wife Alice is in the family home in Burien; Louaine has an auto-electric business in Ellensburg, WA; Carl runs the family wrecking yard business; Jan works for the Des Moines WA Police Dept.; Veronica attends college and also works at the wrecking yards, and Roxanne works for Reber Ranch in Kent.
Nels was known for being polite, dependable, generous and caring, especially toward his family. He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family and friends, photography, and anything to do with cars. He was also known for his tried-and-true jokes, which made everyone laugh even though we had heard them so many times! He was the “patriarch” of our family and we all looked to him for advice and support.
It just doesn’t seem right that he is not still sitting at the head of the kitchen table, having a cup of coffee with us. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Last night, Mom and I decorated the Christmas tree and made Christmas cookies, and it was so hard not having Dad there. He would always sit on the couch with his cup of coffee and help me “critique” the tree decorating, and he also would unwrap the Hershey kisses for me to put on my cookies. The holidays are such a hard time to be without loved ones.
Dad will be placed in the Veterans Court of Honor at Washington Memorial; it is fitting, as the etching on the main monument there is the flag raising at Iwo Jima, so it was meant to be.
We miss you Daddy, Love, Jan
Alice, my condolences to you and your family.
We had many happy and wonderful vacations with Nels, Alice and their children. Nels was more than generous and once when we started out on vacation his car broke down he just stopped bought another car and we continued on our way to another adventure. We will miss his happy face and his love of coffee.
Alice, I was very sad to hear of Nels’ passing. Joleen actually called me and told me. Please pass my condolences on to the kids. I want to stop on by to say hello and intend on stopping by and seeing Jan where she works.
He was truly a great person!
Again, heartfelt condolences from all the Sanfords!
Alice: I know it will be a hard time for you without Nel’s. You were always so close. It is hard to put into words how a person feels but my heart goes out to you and all your family. Remember all the fun and special times with him and put them in a special place in your heart. My ear is always available and my shoulder is broad. Do not hesitate to call. Your friend, Carol
I will miss him saying good morning everyday and the help and advice he would give if you had a problem and the niciest man i ever knew and my family sends there condolences
Grandpa, you will be deeply missed my many and especially me. You taught me so much about the wrecking yard business and how to treat people with respect and patience. I will never forget the day that you spent with me teaching me how an alternator works and how to rebuild one. Your wealth of knowledge amazed me along with anyone else who ever knew or met you. The quantity of phone calls and visits from people sending their sympathy and remembering fun stories of how they knew you has been overwhelming and greatly appreciated. The quantity of people that knew and respected you is amazing. I love and miss you!! Please tell Grandma and Grandpa Martin I love and miss them too!!
Love Always,
Veronica
Nelson was a 2nd cousin of mine. He was from my grandmother Vera’s side of the family. When my husband and I took a motorcycle trip about 20 years ago, up the coast from Southern California to Seattle Washington, Nels an Alice welcomed us with open arms. When I was about 6 years old, I remember Nels as a very tall guy. When he got out of his small car, and stood up, everyone would stare. I remember him when he was going to Denver University and had a Biology class. He was dissecting a fish and had all of it’s parts labeled. I remember thinking ” how strange”. He was such a nice person and will be missed.
Dana McClanahan Estrada, daughter of Marguerite and Homer McClanahan. Niece of Lanny Simpson.