Wallace Nelson of Oklee, MN passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Fosston First Care Living in Fosston, MN.

Funeral for Wallace will be held 10:30 AM, on Monday June 5, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee, MN with Reverend Linda Molitor officiating. Burial will be held at Zion Cemetery in Oklee.

Visitation will be held Sunday June 4, 4 – 7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee, MN and also one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Wallace LaVerne Nelson was born April 16, 1928, son of Thome and Edna (Thorpe) Nelson on the family farm East of Oklee, MN. He was raised in the Oklee area and attended country school. He went to mechanic/welding school in Thief River Falls, MN. Wallace served his country in Korea from 1946 until his honorable discharge in 1947.  After his service in the military, Wallace worked in various places including Milwaukee, WI.

On September 20, 1953, Wallace was united in marriage to Doris Hofstad at Salem Lutheran Church near Oklee by Pastor J.M. Kunestad. After their marriage the couple lived in Minneapolis, Thief River Falls, and South Milwaukee, WI. The couple and their two little girls moved to Oklee, MN when Wallace gained employment at the Oklee School in 1957. Soon after, Doris and Wallace added Mark, Tim, and Dennis to their family. In 1961 they moved to their farm in Lambert Township where they raised cattle, hogs, and chickens. A little later Jeffrey and Todd joined the family.  After 35 years, Wallace retired from the school in 1992.

Wallace enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, gardening, and being outdoors. He was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church and an American Legion member.

Wallace is survived by his children: Annette (Glen) Vettleson of Oklee, MN, Connie (Kelly) Lundeen of Trail, MN, Mark (Cindy) Nelson of Erskine, MN, Tim (Deb) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN, Dennis Nelson of Frazee, MN, Jeffrey (Shari) Nelson of Moorhead, MN and Todd (Heather) Nelson of Fargo, ND.

20 grandchildren: Shane (Amanda) Vettleson, Laura (Chad) Conneran, Jessica (Jared) Hofstad, Seth (Katie) Vettleson, Susan (Brian) Walter, Alison (Jona) Bernier, Adam (Janelle) Lundeen, Brian (Beth) Lundeen, Nate (Sarah) Lundeen, Kyla (Joe) Coauette,  Amy (Chad) Sperling, Travis (Shannon) Nelson, Krista (Andrew) Johnstad, Brandon Nelson, Josh (Heidi) Nelson, Tabitha (Brett) Syverson, Wyatt Nelson, Lexi Nelson, Blair Nelson, and Brynn (Lucas) James; step-grandchildren; Rochelle Harstad, Amber Gilbertson.

32 great-grandchildren: Logan, Ethan, Natalie, Orin,  Leif, Nikolena, Luke, Emma, Hank, Trisha (Tyler), Noah (Jamie), Joshua (Kylea), Owen, Caleb, Cade (Marryn), Chloe, Griffin, Ian, Ty, Mya, Whitney, Brock, Parker, Eva, Jaxton, Oaklee, Gunnar, Osmund, Stanton, Ellison, Rhenley, and Norah; step-great-grandchildren, Austin, Maddison (Jon), Mason, Iver, and Aubrey.

6 great-great-grandchildren: Amelia, Gabe, Elijah, Micaiah, Chase, and Hattie.

Siblings: Norman (Ione) Nelson, Ordean Nelson, Verona (George) Gardner, Sidney (Eileen) Nelson, Russell (Marilyn) Nelson, Judy Lundeen; sisters-in-law Elaine Broker and Carol Roisland; brothers-in-law Orlando Hofstad and Leslie (Alice) Hofstad along with many nieces, nephews, and God Children.

Good friend, Ambrose Bergeron.

Wallace is preceded in death by his wife Doris; parents Thome and Edna; great-grandson Jacob Bernier; daughter-in-law Karen Nelson; siblings Lorraine (Benny) Groven, Lila (Don) Johnson, Vernon (Jeanette) Nelson, Shirley (Floyd) Dahle, Jerry Nelson; brother-in-law David Lundeen along with other extended family.