George Vernon Nelson, 79, Aberdeen, S.D., formerly of Hills, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, at Bethesda Nursing Home in Aberdeen.Services were Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. The Rev. Lowell Berg officiated. Burial was in Flower Field Cemetery, Hills, with military rites by Hills American Legion Post #399. There was a prayer service Monday, Dec. 20, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory in Aberdeen led by the Rev. Allan Schoonover. George Nelson was born to John and Christine (Moe) Nelson on Oct. 3, 1925, in Hills where he was raised. He attended Hills Public Schools and graduated from Hills High School. He entered the U.S. Army Dec. 13, 1946, and received his honorable discharge May 8, 1947. He married Jean Jordahl on Nov. 6, 1949, in Luverne. He had his own cream delivery service and worked for John Morrell Company for a short time. In 1960 they moved to Brandon, S.D. He purchased the Jack and Jill Grocery Store, which he operated for several years. They returned to Hills in 1969 where he owned and operated George’s Clover Farm Grocery Store for many years. They moved to Polson, Mont., in 1984. He worked for Livestock Feed and Grain Company as a livestock feed salesman until he retired in 1987. They moved to Ortonville in 1995 and to Aberdeen in 2001. Mr. Nelson enjoyed golfing and had hit a hole in one in 1973. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and working with wood. Survivors include his wife, Jean Nelson, Aberdeen; two sons, David (Margaret) Nelson, Ipswich, S.D., and Bradley (Cheryl) Nelson, Granite Bay, Calif.; three daughters, Mary (Edward) Bultema, Grandville, Mich., Janie (Jeffrey) Helgeson, St. Paul, and Dawn (Mark) Vaux, Aberdeen; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Kristie Olson, five brothers and five sisters. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of local arrangements.