A memorial service is 11 a.m. Friday at Eastside Memorial Park in Minden for former Gardnerville resident Nelson Leon Manning, 85, who died Aug. 23, 2009, at his home in Greenview, Calif.
Born Aug. 4, 1924, in Bracketville, Texas, to Percey and Della Manning, Mr. Manning was the second of six siblings.
Mr. Manning served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a sergeant in Cherbourg, Normandy, as well as in England from 1942-1945.
A resident of Greenview for eight years, Mr. Manning and his family lived in Gardnerville for eight years, where he spent five years working as a manager and salesman at Ace Hardware. Prior to moving to Gardnerville, he lived for 20-plus years in El Monte and West Covina, Calif. He worked at Ole's Hardware store for 20 plus years in La Puente, Calif.
Mr. Manning is preceded in death by his wife, Neva, in January 2009.
His hobby was gardening. He received recognition in newspapers and awards for his robust gardens wherever he lived. His favorite pastime was fishing, which he enjoyed with Neva's son, Darol, in Siskiyou County, Calif.
He volunteered with police departments and worked with Neighborhood Watch wherever he lived.
He is survived by son Kenneth Manning, daughter Crystal Herbert, brother William "Billie" Manning, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren and Mrs. Manning's daughter and two sons.
