Gerald Nelson of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at Hillcrest Senior Living in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Funeral for Jerry will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Jeffrey Lytle Officiating. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery near Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held on Monday November 20, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a time of prayer service at 7:00 PM all at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls and also on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gerald Martin Nelson was born June 2, 1943 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Martin and Lucille (Mortrud) Nelson. He was raised in Newfolden, MN until the age of 14 when they moved to Thief River Falls. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961.

On June 22, 1963 he was married to Pamela Flage at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. To this union, four children were born, Brian, Shelly, Branden and Kelsey. They lived in Thief River Falls until 1972, when they purchased their family farm North of Red Lake Falls. Jerry was employed at Forsberg's Inc. in Thief River Falls from 1962 until his retirement in 2002. During this time he raised cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. He worked very hard at raising good quality cattle and enjoyed showing them at the area county fairs as well as holding an annual Customer Appreciation Day sale on the farm. After his retirement, he took an interest in iron work crafts; making fire rings, mailbox toppers, rain gauges, etc. He enjoyed traveling to area craft shows to exhibit and sell his creations while visiting with others.

Jerry was a creative inventor, he designed and built an efficient running hog operation, a corral system including a scale to make working cattle much easier. He was never afraid to create or invent any tool or gadget to make any job not seem like work.

Jerry was an avid outdoorsmen; hunting deer, bear, geese and grouse. He loved spending time at the cabin which he built up North with his family and friends. Jerry also enjoyed spearing Northern Pike in the winter and also catching them on small area lakes in the summer. He rarely missed a morning, going up to Memories to have coffee and conversation with the guys.

Family was very important to Jerry, especially his kids and grandkids. He looked forward to every holiday and family gathering, especially the annual Nelson family reunion. He felt very fortunate to have all of his kids living within an eight mile radius of the family farm.

Jerry was involved with the American Hereford Association, American Salers Association, the Red Lake Falls Sportsman Club and he served on the Red Lake County Fair Board for several years.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Pam of Red Lake Falls, MN, children Brian (Lisa) Nelson, Shelly  (Paul) Knott, Branden (Shelly) Nelson and Kelsey (Jordon) Gervais all of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandchildren Allison (special friend, Nick) Nelson, Matthew (Quianah) Nelson, Nolan (Shelby) Knott, Emily (Martin) Kokett, Olivia (Devin) Arnold, Jenna (Cameron) McFarlin, Chase Nelson, Zoey Knott, Boe Nelson and Clayton Gervais; great-grandchildren Hadley, Jones and Creed Nelson, Gracelynn, Noah and Isaac Kokett, Sophia, Kael and Nora Arnold; siblings Karen (Melvin) Butgereit, Linda Koch, Tom (special friend, Diane) Nelson, Candy Cynkar, Jill (Lee) Kremsreiter, Kim (Sam) Rasmussen; in-laws Darrell Smith, Penny (Roger) Dardis, Chuck (Margie) Flage, Deb (Larry) Grebin, Lon (Lynette) Flage, John (Lynn) Flage, along with many nieces and nephews.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Martin and Lucille Nelson, sister Marsha Smith and his brother-in-laws Denny Koch and Lenny Cynkar.