Elmer Nelson, 64, died on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 peacefully at his residence surrounded by his loving family in rural Thief River Falls, MN. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Clark Hjelle officiating. Burial will follow at Silverton Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from Noon - 2 PM on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Elmer Carl Nelson was born on August 13, 1948 to Ernest Clarence and Ruth Marie (Rose) Nelson in Red Lake Falls, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended school in Red Lake Falls, graduating from Lafayette High School in 1966. Elmer moved to Minneapolis and lived for a few years. He worked as a mechanic. He returned to Northwest Minnesota and was united in marriage to Sandra Kay Olson on February 1, 1974 in St. Hilaire, MN. They made their home in Thief River Falls. Elmer worked at the Standard Station in his early years. During Elmer's lifetime he worked at several places and did many things including, Peterson Lumber, Gulf Station, drove taxi, farming, carpentry, and worked in laundry and maintenance at the hospital in Thief River Falls. Elmer enjoyed fishing, family get-togethers at Maple Lake. He enjoyed holidays, birthday celebrations, and enjoyed his grandchildren the most! He loved company and visitors all of the time and he would follow you out the door visiting. He was a great joke teller especially Ole and Lena jokes. He had several sayings and would make them up on the fly. He liked working on cars and trucks and a few of his favorites include a 66 Super Sport, 57 Ford Convertible, 56 Ford short box pick up, and a 76 Ford pickup. He liked playing Bill's Babies pull tabs, gambling at the casino, and buying scratch off tickets. He was fond of watching movies and old Westerns were his favorites. Elmer enjoyed music and dancing to "Kung-Fu Fighting." He liked to go to the Moe Farm watching the cattle and new born calves, and reminiscing about his younger days on the farm. He loved his animals including Scruffy, Molly Mae, Mea Dog, and Fat Kitty. Elmer is survived by his wife Sandra, Thief River Falls, MN, five children: Kristie (Jared) Moe, Grygla, MN, Karen (Jason) Hepsak, Thief River Falls, MN, Kari (TJ Rux) Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, Mike Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, Matt (Britney) Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, eight grandchildren: Alexis Moe, Ashley Moe, and Avery Moe, Mercedes Sistad and Evan Hepsak, Payden Nelson, Kaidence and Theron Nelson, and one grandson Brandon Hepsak soon to be born, four siblings, Ray (Vi) Nelson, Little Falls, MN, David (Joann) Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, Mary (Zane) Kembitskey, Roseau, MN, and Richard (Jamie) Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Ruth, and his grandparents. ORGANIST: Bonnie Njaa SPECIAL MUSIC: Mutnansky Family SELECTIONS: The Master's Bouquet, Farther Along CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: The Old Rugged Cross, Rock of Ages PALLBEARERS: Mike Nelson, Matt Nelson, David Nelson, Rick Nelson, Wayne Anderson, Jared Moe, Jason Hepsak, TJ Rux HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Elmer's Grandchildren and Friends