Martin J. Nelson

To: All Staff Members From: John J. Kamerick Date: November 3, 1970 Dr. Martin J. Nelson, former Dean of Instruction at the University of Northern Iowa, passed away at Sartori Hospital on Sunday morning, November 1, following a heart attack. He was born at Windsor, Wisconsin, in 1894. He received the B.A. degree from Luther College, the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from University of Wisconsin, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Luther College. Dr. Nelson served as principal and superintendent in the public schools of North Dakota prior to joining the staff at the University of Northern Iowa in 1924 as Assistant Professor of Education. He was advanced to the rank of Professor in 1926, became Director of Research in 1929, Head of the Department of Education in 1930, Dean of the Faculty in 1934, and Dean of Instruction and Dean of the College in 1954. He retired in 1959, at which time former President Maucker wrote: "Martin Nelson has rendered a lifetime of outstanding service to this college and to education generally. Pioneering in the role of Dean of the Faculty, he guided the development of staff and instructional program down through the years with a steady hand. The principal architect of our graduate program, he has served with particular distinction since 1950 in defining our relationships with the University and the State College. "His work as an examiner for the North Central Association and as an author of educational tests and textbooks have earned him the respect of educators throughout the nation." The Nottger Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with burial on Thursday in Concordia Gardens Cemetery at Fort Wayne, Indiana. The flag will be flown at half-mast, and the Campanile bells will be played during the time of the funeral service in memory of Dr. Nelson. Memorials may be sent to the University of Northern Iowa Alumni Office for either the Martin and Cora Nelson Scholarship Fund (U.N.I.) or for Luther College. The choice should be indicated. Dr. Nelson was preceded in death by his wife, Cora J. Nelson. Dr. Nelson is survived by a son, Morton, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a daughter, Joyce Nelson, East Lansing, Michigan.