Virgil G. Nelson, 81, of Poplar, died Saturday, February 17, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth.

Virgil was born in Superior on April 30, 1942, the son of Gilbert and Rachel (Bergsten) Nelson.

He graduated from Northwestern High School with the class of 1960 and went on to attend Superior State Teachers College and Superior Vocational Tech. He joined the US Coast Guard Reserves and served from 1963 to 1971. Virgil held several jobs in the area for farmers, loggers, Poplar Feed Mill, Great Lakes Storage, and Western Weighing and Inspection Bureau. He then took over Nelson Oil Co. from his father in 1967.

Virgil married Marilyn C. Olson on August 31, 1968, and they celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together they owned and operated Nelson Oil for 47 years and built the new Nelson's Speed Stop before retiring and selling it to his son, Greg and his wife Sarah.

Virgil was active in Mission Covenant Church and held several offices there. He was also an active member of the Poplar Volunteer Fire Department, Poplar 4-H Club, Boy Scouts, Poplar Hockey, and Basketball teams and served on the Poplar Village Board. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed bowling. He also enjoyed fishing, especially taking trips to Canada.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elvera Renman.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Greg (Sarah) Nelson of Iron River, Becky (Paul) Bourque of Poplar; grandchildren, Harrison, Bennett, and Finley Nelson, and Andrew, Noah and Libby, Bourque; sister, Grace (Ron) Hoya of Tucson, AZ; and many extended family and friends.

Visitation will be on Saturday, February 24th from Noon until the 2:00p.m. funeral service at Mission Covenant Church, 5161 S County Rd P, Poplar, WI 54864. Interment will be in Poplar Cemetery at a later date.