PLEASANT PRAIRIE - Susan Nelson got the knock at the door this week that every military mom fears. “I knew,” she recounted. “The second I opened the door, I knew.” On Monday, a roadside bomb in Iraq claimed the life of her son, 23-year-old Cpl. Richard “Ricky” Nelson. The dining room table at the Nelson's Pleasant Prairie home is now covered with pictures of the young man who followed in the boot steps of his late grandfather. “Talking about the Marines,” reflected Susan. “My dad beamed. Ricky beamed. They both drew strength from that.” Ricky is the fifth of Susan and Lennie Nelson’s seven children. They were together for Christmas a few months ago. Ricky anticipated returning home for good to start his own family with his high school sweetheart and recent bride Kristen. They were married for less than a year. “His dream was to come back, finish college and become an elementary school teacher,” Susan said. “That dream will never be fulfilled.” Photos of Ricky’s baptism in Lake Michigan are among the most meaningful to Susan. She remembers Ricky as a son with great Christian faith. She calls on her own faith in this trying time. “I’m going to miss Ricky,” said Susan. “I’m going to miss his smile, his hugs. I’m going to miss him calling and calling me mama. I’m going to miss all those things, but I know he’s in a better place.” Ricky attended Christian Life School on the campus of Kenosha First Assembly of God Church. Susan is the administrator of that school and remembers watching Ricky fall in love with Kristen when they were both students. According to www.richardjnelson.com, a Web site honoring Ricky: Visitation will be held on Wednesday at Proko Funeral Home in Kenosha from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Kenosha First Assembly of God, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove with full military honors immediately after the service.