Nelson Sewing

Nelson Fred "Shorty" Sewing, 91, of Friedheim passed away at home Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, the same home in which he was born and baptized.

Born Sept. 8, 1929, Nelson was the fourth child of Robert Herman and Lydia Clara Grossheider Sewing, and called the family farm his home from his birth to his death.

He was baptized into the Lutheran faith at the family home Sept. 22, 1929, by the Rev. John H Deye, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim. He was confirmed April 18, 1943, by the same pastor, and was a lifelong member of the Friedheim congregation. Nelson was active in many aspects of congregation life: He served in a variety of church offices; served on the annual picnic committee; sang in the adult choir; helped with Sunday School; and played on the church's dartball and softball teams.

Nelson attended Apple Creek Valley and Trinity Lutheran (Friedheim) Schools, and graduated from Perryville (Missouri) High School in 1948.

He served honorably in the U.S. Marines from Dec. 21, 1951, to Dec. 4, 1953, during the Korean War, and thereafter served six years in the Reserves. He was a 68-year member of the American Legion in Perryville.

Nelson was a lifelong farmer, and served on the Cape Girardeau County ASCS committee. He also served as an election clerk in Cape Girardeau. Together with his late sister, Wanda Sewing, Nelson owned and operated Sewing's Travel Center/Sewing's Restaurant from 1977 to 2007, retiring from that business after 30 years. During that time, Nelson was also a seed-corn dealer and operated a small engine repair shop. He and Wanda also received the Missouri Century Farm designation in 2017 for their ownership of three of the "Sewing Settlement" farms.

Nelson bowled in leagues in Jackson and Perryville, as well as local and state tournaments. Nelson once picked up the 7-10 split, a rare and difficult bowling accomplishment. He also enjoyed attending auctions and collecting antiques.

Nelson's family is grateful to Saint Francis Hospice, Veterans Affairs and independent caregivers for helping with Nelson the last two months of his earthly life. Among the compassionate caregivers were Angie, Bern, Carole, Chris, Dale, Deanna, Gail, Heather, Jeff, Jennifer, Kayla, Kim, Marge, Raunda, Sharon, Sonya and Tammy.

Loving survivors include Nelson's nieces and nephew, Paula Sewing (David) Altschul, Kay Sewing Bolin, Robert Sewing, Sue Sewing (Diana Wolfram) and Margie Sewing; great-nieces and great-nephew, Jennifer Altschul (Conor Byrne), Carole Bolin Moore (Mike) Harvell and Dale (Denise Cutsinger) Bolin; great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Cameron Moore (Caleb) Johnston, Dylan Moore, Nathan Bolin, Taylor Bolin, Kaylie Bolin and Mason Bolin; great-great-stepnephews, Thomas Harvell and Jacob Harvell; and a great-great-great-nephew, David Johnston.

Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Herman and Lydia Clara Grossheider Sewing; four siblings, Floyd Sewing, Dorothy Sewing (infant), Wib Sewing (Hunter Jean Call) and Wanda Sewing.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson and from 8:30 a.m. to service time Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Roger Steinbrueck officiating. Burial and military honors will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Dale Bolin, Scott Howe, Mike Harvell, Wayne Hoffman, David Lang, Ken Schmidt, Brad Schwab, Robert Sewing and Randy Zoellner.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church, 3700 County Road 415, Friedheim, MO 63747, or the Missouri's National Veterans Memorial, 1172 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Perryville, MO 63775.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the TRIBUTE WALL tab of Nelson's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.