Mike Nelson, 38, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at his home. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, September 17, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Ollie Urdahl presiding. Burial will follow Bethesda Cemetery, rural Strandquist, MN. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM, Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday. Mike Allen Nelson was born on May 17, 1974 to Clifford Allen and Lynette Helayne (Johnson) Nelson in Karlstad, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN. He attended school in Newfolden and graduated in 1992. During high school Mike worked in the Peat fields. He attended the Northland Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN in the welding program during high school and graduated in 1992. He worked for the Soo Line/CP Railroad and the Minnesota Limited Pipeline. Mike was the founder of Nelson Services, Inc. He started out buying a piece of equipment that he ran and that continued to grow. As the company grew, more and more equipment was added along with many dedicated employees. Mike married Kim Ann Davidson on March 12, 1996. Mike loved flying and he got his pilot's license about 11 years ago. He received his instrument rating and had four airplanes. He was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed fishing and hunting. In his younger years, he raced snowmobiles, ATV's and mini sprints. Mike had a great sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes on his friends. He is survived by his wife Kim, Newfolden, MN; parents Cliff and Lynette Nelson, Newfolden, MN; one sister Tracy Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN; grandma Agnes Johnson, Warren, MN; parents-in-law Ronnie and Sharon Davidson, Holt, MN; paternal uncle and God Parents Ron (Fran) Nelson; paternal aunt Betty Helm; maternal uncles and aunts, Lester Johnson, Larry (Judy) Johnson, Luann (Kendall McGlynn) Johnson, Linda Bodell, and France Johnson; Grandmother-in-law Marion Davidson, Holt, MN; brother and sister-in-law Kevin (Patty) Davidson and their children Chelsey, Kaylee, and Cole, Newfolden; brother-in-law Corey Davidson and his children Ashli, Corli, Riley, Brinli, Newfolden, MN. Mike is also survived by many in laws, cousins, and friends. Mike was preceded in death by grandfather Helmer Johnson and grandparents Otto and Evie Anderson and Chester and Clara Nelson; uncle Leroy Johnson, uncle Clyde Jenson, uncle John Bodell. In lieu of flowers, donations will be made in Mike's honor.