Oscar Nerhus, 93, died February 26, 2009 at his residence in rural Goodridge, MN.

Oscar Nerhus was born on February 5, 1916 in Star Township in Pennington County to the late Ole and Julia (Johnson) Nerhus. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith and attended country school. On June 30th 1948 Oscar was united in marriage to Mildred Rindahl. The couple made their home in Star Township of Pennington County where theyve resided since. Together they raised 3 children, 2 sons Rocky and Larry and 1 daughter Charleen.

Oscar served his country honorably during World War II. Oscar has done numerous things from farming, where he built a few buildings on the homestead, to cattle, running the dozer, but mostly dragline work which was his passion. He was in on shortening a river 27 miles in California. He worked on dredging the Lost River, Clearwater River, Red Lake River, and a river in Aitkin, MN. Oscar worked for Ray Skoe for 7 years from 1968 " 1974 in the Tamarak Swamp near Clearbrook, MN. There he ran his dragline and did welding, from a welder he made, which contributed to the wild rice fields. Oscar made the original roads, ditches, and dikes that are still there today. Oscar has moved many yards of dirt in his lifetime. In 1975 Oscar started to work for Pennington County cleaning ditches, he worked there for over 20 years. Oscar still ran dragline after working for Pennington County at home. Even in 2008 Oscar still went onto the dragline and got it running. He made a project with the dragline near his home. It consisted of 80 acres with the words Wildlife Nerhus dug into the land. The letters filled with water. That is something Oscar was very proud of. Oscar was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, and fishing. He also enjoyed riding the snow plane with Bert Good, snowmobiling, and horseback riding. Oscar enjoyed his garden, he was well known for his Rutabagas. Oscar had a dog named Lady who went with him out for drives either in the pickup or on the three-wheeler. Oscar always was on the go. He also liked telling stories. Oscar was a member of the Nazareth Lutheran Church, VFW, Minnesota Farmers Union, Local 49ers, and a state fire warden.

Oscar is survived by his wife Mildred; son, Larry (Sandy) of Goodridge, MN; 5 grandchildren, Tanya (Nick) Kotrba, Trent, Blake, Chantal, Karson, and 1 great-grandchild Nevaeh all of Goodridge, MN; as well as several nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Oscar is preceded in death by his parents Ole and Julia; brothers Oslak and Thomas; sisters Anna Kristine, Gena, Thora, Annie; son Rocky and daughter Charleen.

ORGANIST: Cindy Bjerklie
SOLOIST: Lisa Verbout
SELECTIONS: Softly and Tenderly Amazing Grace
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Children of the Heavenly Father Just As I Am
CASKETBEARERS: Jeff Dahlen, Kelly Dahlen, Gary Boman, Larry Good, Donald Good, Bobby Miller, Gene Marquis