Roy V. Nelson, 84, died Monday, June 15, 2009 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Friday, June 19, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 am until time of the service on Friday at the church.

Roy Vernon Nelson was born October 27, 1924 on the family farm near Grygla, MN, the son of John C. and Amanda (Englund) Nelson. In 1938, when Roy was 14 years old, the family moved to a farm in North Township. Roy was confirmed at Silver Creek Lutheran Church and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1942.

Roy started working for Burlington Northern Railroad in Sauk Centre, MN and later started farming and raising turkeys on his parents homestead. He met his future wife Pearl A. Listol in high school and they married at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls on November 22, 1947. To this union 14 children were born. In the fall of 1948 they purchased a farm in Grand Plain Township, Marshall County, MN where they operated a dairy and grain farm.

He enjoyed hunting with the boys and grandchildren, fishing, tree planting, plot restoration and working in his garden. One of Roys favorite passions was the annual 4th of July celebration at the farm, playing volleyball with his family and friends. He served on the School Board of District #76, Thief River Co-op Creamery Board, Consumers Co-op Board, Midland Cooperatives Inc. District Board, Land O Lakes Inc. District Board, Co-op Oil of Middle River Board, Grand Plain Township Board, and was a member of Silver Creek Lutheran Church, and served on the Church Council for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Pearl of rural Goodridge, MN; 13 children, Jim (Debbie) Nelson of Little Falls, MN, Leland (Ann) Nelson of Goodridge, MN, Roger Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN, Jackie (Roger) Philipp of Thief River Falls, MN, Steve (Marilyn) Nelson of Red Wing, MN, Marilyn (Jon) Crandell of Rochester Hills, MI, Jeff (Marilyn) Nelson of Bloomington, MN, Sherrie (Craig) Holmquist of West Fargo, ND, Scott (Peggy) Nelson of Worthington, MN, Nancy Gerardy of Kentwood, MI, Clark (Penni) Nelson of rural Goodridge, MN, Cory (Valerie) Nelson of Shorewood, MN and Kurt (Deb) Nelson of Warren, MN; 24 grandchildren, Michael and Christina Nelson, Christopher Nelson, Miranda and Troy Nelson, Ryan Philipp, Jami (Allen) Bolar and Robby Philipp, Andrew (Jessica), Peter and Karlie Nelson, Jon Crandell, Jr., Rebekah and Daniel Nelson, Chelsea, Marissa and Landon Holmquist, Kayla and Garrett Nelson, Brandon (Emily) Gerardy, Trent and Teagan Nelson, and Adam and Rachel Nelson; one great-grandson, Simon Nelson; sisters, Helen (Richard) Wilson of Denver, Colorado, LaVonne (Don) Thune of St. Hilaire, MN, Irene (Wes) Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN, Violet Hensley of McMinville, Oregon; sisters-in-law, Irene Nelson and Vernice Nelson both of Thief River Falls, MN; brother-in-law, Vern (Vallie) Listol of Tennessee; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his son, David Michael Nelson; parents, John C. and Amanda Nelson; brothers, Jerrold, John Dale, and Leo Nelson; sisters, Marion (Glen) Olson; daughter-in-law, Marla Nelson; and several nieces and nephews.

Roy loved the land and all it could produce, from the wheat in the fields to the apple trees in the yard to the first onions in the garden. He worked tirelessly from sunrise to sunset six days a week; Sunday was for worship. A man of faith, Roy was always ready to help a neighbor, and he believed the only good deal was an honest one. Roy loved his children, speaking proudly of their accomplishments. He loved his grandchildren, always finding time to secure the bales in the hayshed so they could play there safely, or to take them for a winter ride on the snowmobile. Mostly Roy loved his Pearl. For over 60 years they faced together the sorrows and challenges, the joys and pleasures that life can bring.

Organist: Phyllis Dalager
Soloist: Debbie Nelson: Abide With Me & The Lords Prayer
Duet: Andrew Nelson & Karlie Nelson The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Casketbearers: Roys Sons: Jim, Leland, Roger, Steve, Jeff, Scott, Clark, Cory & Kurt
Honorary Casketbearers: Roys Grandchildren
Reader: Clark Nelson
Memories of Roy: Steve Nelson