Kenneth L. Nelson, 87, of Goodridge, MN, passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN with his loving family at his side.

The service to celebrate Kenneth's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Dawn Hanson officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Telemarken Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Kenneth Laverne Nelson was born May 8, 1934 on the Heden Family Farm in Highlanding Township, Pennington County, MN the son of Clarence and Myrtle (Heden) Nelson. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith. He attended Highlanding School, Lightning Creek School near Reeder, ND and Goodridge High School through the eighth grade.

Following school, Ken worked on the Heden Family Farm with his grandfather Ernest Heden and worked at various places around Minnesota as an automobile mechanic. While living in the Twin Cities, Ken worked at Minnesota Auto Parts and Columbia Transit.

In 1958 Ken met and fell in love with Geraldine Lavina Crisman. On March 21, 1959, Kenneth and Gerrie were united in marriage in Mason City, Iowa. They returned to the Minneapolis area and made their home in Fridley in 1959 where they resided and raised their family of four children until 1974. Kenneth and Gerrie moved to Northwestern Minnesota on April 10, 1974, after purchasing a farm in Highlanding Township. Through the years the family raised small grains, hay, milked dairy cattle and in 1975 he began work for Hoffman Farms where he earned the nickname "Greasy Wheels" and later he worked for Manderud Farms until his retirement.

In 2017 Ken moved to Thief River Falls, in 2018 he entered Valley Home and for the past year has resided at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine.

Ken enjoyed fishing in summer and winter, hunting, loved bird watching and traveling with his family, he never had idle hands and was always busy fixing or building something, if he didn't have a tool for the job, he would make one. There wasn't a friend, neighbor or family member in need that he wouldn't lend a hand to. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his children, Karen Langseth of Thief River Falls, MN, Brenda (Scott) Molstad of Thief River Falls, MN and Brian Nelson of Newfolden, MN; grandchildren, Jason (Jessica) Langseth of Thief River Falls, MN, Amy Langseth of Thief River Falls, MN, Melissa (Josh) Altepeter of Thief River Falls, MN, Richard (Andi) Nelson of Holt, MN, Crystal Nelson of Bernalillo, New Mexico, Brandon Molstad of Holt, MN and Matthew Molstad of Thief River Falls, MN, Brittany (Nadine) Hackshaw of St. Paul, MN, Christopher (Kayli) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN; great-grandchildren, Katie Houle, Sydney Langseth, Parker Nelson, Arianna Carlson, Victoria Nelson, Austin Langseth, Amya Briggs, RJ Jenkins, Pandora Nelson, Tessa Joe Langseth, Madden Kenneth Teggatz, Noelle Nelson; great greatgrandchild, Charlotte Green; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine in 2011; son, Randolph "Randy" in 2007; grandson, Joey Langseth; parents; brother, Vernon; sisters, Jenny Swenson and Doris Ostby; and many other relatives and friends.