Thief River Falls – Raymond M. Nelson, 87, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his loving family.
Raymond Milton Nelson was born at home on the family farm on July 23, 1933 to Martin and Ella Nelson in New Solum Township, Marshall County. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and attended Edgewood Country School. Ray lost his father at a young age and spent subsequent years working on the farm and helping his mother and younger siblings.
On January 1, 1956 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Jeannie Nelson. They established their first home in Thief River Falls while Ray continued to work on the family farm. They welcomed their first child, Mary Jo, then moved to Minneapolis, where Ray was employed by Wagner’s Garden Center and Dayton’s Corporation. The following year they returned to Thief River Falls where two more daughters were born: Wendy Rae in 1960 and Nancy Kay in 1962. He loved his girls and to them he was the best dad in the whole world. Ray was employed by Osborne McMillan Elevator and Shetler Hatchery. He was then hired by Bridgeman Creameries and continued to work there for 37 years until he retired in 1996.
Ray loved puttering in his yard and working on small engines along with other fix-it projects. He was a talented, innovative and creative jack of all trades. He had an avid interest in snowmobiling and snowmobiles and attended races and shows where he collected trophies for vintage snowmobiles that he built and restored. Ray also owned a large collection of vintage Cushman motor scooters and was a member of the Cushman Clubs of America. He was truly engaged in his “self sustained hobby” as he called it and established numerous life-long close friendships with those he met along the way.
Ray was a huge music lover and always wished he could play the accordion. He had a quick wit and mischievous sense of humor, loved to tell a good joke, reminisce about the “good old days” and entertain his great grandchildren with Norwegian songs and stories. Ray was a keen observer of nature, adored animals and never met a dog that didn’t love him.
Ray and Jeannie spent many happy years dancing to Country and Old Time Music and were members of the Eagles and TRF Polka Club. On their 25th wedding anniversary they visited Hawaii with Jeannie’s brother and his wife. In later years they enjoyed multiple motorcoach trips to Nashville, TN and Branson, MO and also regularly attended Norsk Høstfest in Minot, ND with good friends and family. A special memory for Ray was a wonderful family vacation to Marco Island, FL on the occasion of his and Jeannie’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Ray is survived by his wife Jeannie, children Mary Jo (Jeff) Langlie, Wendy Nelson, Nancy (Steve) Stadler, grandchildren Brandon Langlie, Cainan (Shayla) Langlie, Lindsay (Jeremy) Thompson, and Nick Stadler (Jolene) great-grandchildren Jaedyn, Saige, Kaleb, Abel, Maverick, Selah and Olivia, brother Gordon Nelson, sisters Dolores Knauf and Joanne Grindeland, plus many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Martin and Ella, brothers Dennis, Roger and Marvin, sister Violet Jenkins, in-laws Russell and Signe Nelson and brother-in-law Bob Nelson.
Ray’s family will miss the twinkle in his eye, the joy in his laughter, the warmth in his hugs and the love he shared with all.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, with Pastor Ale Tulu officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Burial will follow at Rindal Lutheran Church cemetery, south of Newfolden.
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