Thief River Falls - Kenneth O. Nelson, 90, died Saturday, September 11, 1999 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at Evangelical Covenant Church in Thief River Falls with Rev. Merrill Kindall officiating. Helen Dahl-strom was the organist, and Allison Peterson and Don Lunke were the soloists.
Casketbearers were Jim Nelson, Darrel Nelson, Brian Nelson, Ben Nelson, Brad Nelson and Kevin Nelson. Honorary casketbearers were Yvonne Pederson, Delbert Erickson, Dwight Tangquist, Merle Gustafson, Dale Stark and Norman Leader. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth Oliver Nelson was born on February 24, 1909 in Albert Lea, the son of Iver and Bathelda (Naasen) Nelson. He grew up and attended school in Viking. Kenneth worked on the family farm and also helped neighboring farmers. He was a partner in Iver Nelson and Sons Construction which later became Nelson Brothers Construction. He built over 100 homes in Thief River Falls.
On April 27, 1940 he was united in marriage to Alice Johnson at Viking. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls. Alice died in 1981.
Kenneth married Gerinda "Gerry" Nelson on October 20, 1984 at Nazareth Church in Holt. They resided in Thief River Falls.
Survivors include his wife, Gerry; one daughter, Marie (Lloyd) Bakke of New London; three sons, Jim (Edna) of Hockessin, DE, Darrel (Pat) of Thief River Falls, and Brian (Wanda) of New London; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Eleanor Shefveland of Red Wing.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; parents; one brother, Vernon; and one sister, Kathryn Nelson. A00003B1999SP15