John (Mark) Nelson, of Red Lake Falls, MN, passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at the Hennepin County Burn Center in Minneapolis, MN, with his family by his side, at the age of 71.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN, with Pastor Gary Graff officiating.

Visitation will take place one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service on Sunday at the church.

John Marcus Nelson was born on October 29, 1949 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Alving and Nelle (Marquis) Nelson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN.  Mark attended Pershing High School in Plummer, MN, graduating in 1968.

Mark worked for one year at Detroiter (Homark) in Red Lake Falls before entering military service with the United States Army.  After 1 ½ years, he returned to go to vocational school for mechanics and spent his lifetime working in that field.  For the last 8 years Mark was employed by Arctic Cat and Textron.

On February 11, 1972 Mark was united in marriage to Sharon Gagner at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls.  Together they made their home on his family's farm in Red Lake Falls for the last 49 years.  They were blessed with three children.

Mark enjoyed his life on the farm whether it was hunting, fishing, baling hay, working with his horses, working on tractors and other machinery, or just being with his family and friends.

Mark is survived by his wife, Sharon of Red Lake Falls, MN; children, Christine Nelson of Fridley, MN, Mike (Shannon) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN, and Stephanie (Yusef) Bradshaw of Golden Valley, MN; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joan (Eldon) Burstad of Menomonie, WI, Marilyn (Marvin) Johnson of Provo, UT, and Dianna (Owen) Nelson of Red Lake Falls, MN; several nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen (Matt) Moonen; and niece, Renea Johnson.