Virgil Nelson

Anderson Family

Virgil Nelson ( December 10, 1924 - August 24, 2010 )

Virgil Nelson, age 85, of Gary, Minnesota, died Tuesday, August 24, 2010, in the Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley.

Virgil A. Nelson was born December 10, 1924, the son of August and Cora (Holkesvig) Nelson in Portland, North Dakota. Virgil attended country school there and later graduated from Portland High School. As a young man he worked for several farmers in the Portland area. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1950 and was stationed in Virginia. After his honorable discharge in 1952 Virgil returned to the Portland area for a time and later bought a farm northeast of Twin Valley. On October 11, 1953, Virgil was united in marriage to Edna Fandrich at Hillsboro, North Dakota. The couple operated their farm where he remained until entering the Twin Valley Living Center in the spring of 2009.

Over the years Virgil served on the council at St. Petri Lutheran Church and was currently a member of Gary Lutheran Church since the closing of St. Petri. Virgil’s favorite past times included visiting with friends and family and going to the lakes where he enjoyed fishing. He was also a handyman. Virgil enjoyed and had the ability to fix most anything.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 56 years, Edna of Gary; sons, Mike (Angela) Nelson of Ada, MN and Bruce Nelson of Fargo, ND; daughters, Susan (Jerome) Ruud of Twin Valley, MN, Jeanette Rosenheim of Devils Lake, ND, Sharon (James) Sheehan of Pueblo, CO and Cindy (Tom) Anderson of Bemidji, MN; brothers, Leon (Inez) Nelson and Dean (Jane) Nelson all of Portland, ND; a sister, Alda Ellefson of Insanti, MN; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Leona Neset and a brother, Dale.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 27th at 1:30 PM in Gary Lutheran Church, Gary. Visitation will be Thursday, August 26th from 5PM to 7PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Friday. Officiating will be Pastor John Ahola with Alden Anderson serving as organist and music provided by Monica Winter and Tanya Kemper. Pallbearers will be Clyde Neset, Wade Nelson, Chad Nelson, Dan Ellefson, Roy Nelson and Brian Gullickson. Military honors will be provided by the Gary American Legion Post #505.