McIntosh - John Nelson, 81, died Monday, March 24, 1997 at the Dakota Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Arrangements were with Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 29 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of McIntosh with Rev. Kurt Morem officiating. Burial was in Nazareth Cemetery of Hickory Township, rural Trail.
Casketbearers were Travis, Kent, Courtney and Robyn McKercher, Shane and Michelle Fore, Jackie Gelle, Jaynie and Jill Bjornaraa. Honorary casketbearers were Harry Hanson, Glen Tasa, Edwin Halvorson, Clifford Arveson, Alan Erickson, James Votava, Orin Anderson, Arlan Fore, Verner Arveson, Raymond Halvorson, Howard Hanson, James Nygard and all of John's friends.
John Nels Nelson was born on November 12, 1915 in McIntosh, the son of John and Karen Johnson Nelson. He grew up in the Trail (Wanke) area and attended country school north of Gully and was a 1936 graduate of McIntosh High School. John, his father and his brother-in-law Erick Johnson, owned and operated the Nelson-Johnson Veneer and Box Factory near Trail for many years. He also farmed, raising beef cattle along with grassland and hay. He was united in marriage to Sophie Anderson in December of 1957. She died in 1988. He married Geline Tveiten Bjornaraa of Oklee in 1989. They lived on the Nelson farm in Hickory Township for a few years and later moved to Oklee before retiring to McIntosh in 1992.
John loved the outdoors and woods. He was a member of the Two Cylinder Club and an avid collector of John Deere Tractors and memorabilia.
He is survived by wife Geline; stepson Bud (Lollie) Bjornaraa of Burnsville; stepdaughter Twyla Bjornaraa of Burnsville; five stepgrandchild; three great-stepgrandchildren; and 14 cousins; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Sophie; and sister Christine Bratrud.