Ronald Nelson was 65 years old when he passed away on March 17. He was a beloved member of the community and had an impact on all of the students that he taught as well as all of the teachers that got the pleasure of working with him. He taught at Orono Elementary School for 35 years, and continued to substitute in the district throughout his retirement.

One of Nelson’s favorite things to do was to sing. He was a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, but had previously sang in the Minneapolis Commodores, the Great Northern Union Chorus, multiple different quartets and at church.

Ron and his wife Toni touched many people while working at Orono and formed bonds with many of their coworkers throughout all of their years at Orono. Jane Smith works in the gifted and talented program and got close to Ron over the years.  

Ron was the ultimate kindergarten teacher, nurturing to everybody, looked after everybody, constantly singing and he was able to bring everybody together as a family.  The fact that he and Toni, his wife, worked in the school together, Orono wouldn’t be Orono without Toni and Ron Nelson.  There is a reason why Orono is O-R-O-N-O; Ron is right in the middle of Orono and that’s exactly what he was and he upheld it.

Ron will be missed dearly in the community, and Orono will not be the same without him.