Elmer Nelson
May 5, 1921 - June 19, 2016
Resided in Pelican Rapids, MN

Obituary
Elmer H. Nelson, 95, a life-long resident of Pelican Rapids died on Sunday, June 19, 2016 at the Pelican Valley Health Center.

Elmer Henry Nelson was born on May 5, 1921 near Pelican Rapids to Julius and Annette (Hanson) Nelson. He attended country school near his home farm in Tansem Township, Clay County, MN. He joined the U.S. Army in 1942, where he served in India Berma Theater during WWII, at the same that three of his siblings were also serving in the military overseas.

Soon after returning to Pelican Rapids from service he married Eunice Julsrud, also from the Pelican Rapids area. Elmer and Eunice had a great life together, and they were married for over 66 years. Elmer worked at Lake Region Cooperative for over 40 years, most of that time as a lineman. They raised three children together at their home in Pelican Rapids, where they resided for almost 60 years. During retirement, Elmer and Eunice loved to travel. They went on many travel adventures in their motorhome, seeing almost all of the states in America. On one particular trip to the west coast, they even teamed up in a 'camper caravan' with their good friends, Kenny and Alice Joyce Larson and several members of their families. They also traveled by plane, visiting Sandra and her family when they lived in Germany, and several visits to Boston where Gary and his family lived for several years. One of his last trips, Elmer was privileged to join the WDAY honor flight group, touring the WWII Memorial and Washington DC.

Elmer loved to strike up a conversation with anyone who liked to do the same, and in some documented cases, he simply lost track of time when he was talking to someone. Lore has it that he even found long lost relatives through conversations with total strangers. He was a good, gentle man who carried a bit of a smile, and story that he was always ready to tell.

Elmer was a longtime member of the American Legion and VFW in Pelican Rapids, Trinity Lutheran Church, served on the Ringsaker Cemetery Board. He volunteered with the Meals on Wheels for many years.

Elmer is survived by his three children, son Joel (Carolyn) Nelson, Pelican Rapids, MN, daughter Sandra (Randy) Dahlen, Rosemount, MN and Gary (Judy) Nelson, Edina, MN; six grandchildren: Carla (Scott) Richardson, Brian Nelson, Corey Dahlen, Cody Dahlen, Melissa Thomas and Becky (Doug) Blake; four great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Chad, 12 siblings: Selma Wee, William Nelson, Clara Julsrud, Evelyn Ness, Lillian Resset, Ruby Hagen, Rueben Nelson, Robert Nelson, Alvin Nelson, James Nelson, Lawrence Nelson, and Baby James Nelson.

Visitation: Wednesday, June 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 23, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Burial: Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Clergy: Pastor Scott Block

Military Honors: VFW Post 5252 & American Legion Post 17

Obituary: Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota