Elmer Nelson

Elmer H. Nelson, 95, a life-long resident of Pelican Rapids, died on Sunday, June 19, 2016 at the Pelican Valley Health Center. Elmer Henry Nelson was born on May 5, 1921 near Pelican Rapids to Julius and Annette (Hanson) Nelson. He attended country school near his home farm in Tansem Township, Clay County, MN. He joined the U.S. Army in 1942, where he served in the India Burma Theater during WWII, at the same time that three of his brothers were also serving in the military overseas. Soon after returning to Pelican Rapids from service, he married Eunice Julsrud, also from the Pelican Rapids area. Elmer and Eunice had a great life together, and they were married for over 66 years. Elmer worked at Lake Region Cooperative for over 40 years, most of that time as a lineman. They raised three children together at their home in Pelican Rapids, where they resided for almost 60 years. During retirement, Elmer and Eunice loved to travel. They went on many travel adventures in their motorhome, seeing almost all of the states in America. On one particular trip to the west coast, they even teamed up in a 'camper caravan' with their good friends, Kenny and Alice Joyce Larson and several members of their families. They also traveled by plane, visiting Sandra and her family when they lived in Germany, and several visits to Boston where Gary and his family lived for several years. One of his last trips, Elmer, along with friend Kenny Larson, was privileged to join the WDAY honor flight group, touring the WWII Memorial and Washington DC. Elmer loved to strike up a conversation with anyone who liked to do the same, and in some documented cases, he simply lost track of time when he was talking to someone. Lore has it that he even found long lost relatives through conversations with total strangers. He was a good, gentle man who carried a bit of a smile, and a story that he was always ready to tell. Elmer was even a three-time participant and a one-time winner in the beard growing contests that are held in Pelican Rapids every 25 years. Elmer was a longtime member of the American Legion and VFW in Pelican Rapids, Trinity Lutheran Church, and served on the Ringsaker Cemetery Board. He volunteered with the Meals on Wheels for many years.Elmer is survived by his three children, Joel (Carolyn) Nelson, Pelican Rapids, MN, Sandra (Randy) Dahlen, Rosemount, MN and Gary (Judy) Nelson, Edina, MN; six grandchildren: Carla (Scott) Richardson, Brian Nelson, Corey Dahlen, Cody Dahlen, Melissa Thomas and Becky (Doug) Blake; four great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.Elmer is preceded in death by wife Eunice, his parents, grandson Chad, 12 siblings: Selma Wee, William Nelson, Clara Julsrud, Evelyn Ness, Lillian Resset, Gilma Nelson, Ruby Hagen, Rueben Nelson, Robert Nelson, Alben Nelson, James Nelson, Lawrence Nelson, and Baby James Nelson.Visitation will be Wednesday, June 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 23, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota with Pastor Scott Block officiating. Burial will follow with military honors provided by the Pelican Rapids VFW Post 5252 & American Legion Post 17 in Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home 304 3rd Street S.E. Pelican Rapids, MN US 56572 Elmer Nelson's folder