Richard A. Nelson, 80

Richard A. Nelson, age 80, of East Grand Forks, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Valley Senior Living TCU in Grand Forks, ND.

 

Richard Allen Nelson was born March 3, 1944 in Grand Forks to Clifford and Edna (Shane) Nelson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Oslo and attended country school before graduating from Oslo High School in 1963. Richard joined the Army National Guard and served our country before attending Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Moorhead. On July 1, 1967, Richard married his high school sweetheart Margaret Olson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Alvarado, MN. They made their home in East Grand Forks and were blessed with a daughter Karyn. 

 

Richard was a farmer until his first retirement and then worked as a crop adjuster. He was a member of the American Legion, Alvarado school board, and caretaker of the Lakeside Cemetery in rural Oslo. He enjoyed spending time with his family at Lake Andrusia near Bemidji, tinkering in his shop, and restoring family vehicles. 

 

Richard is survived by his wife of 57 years Margaret Nelson of East Grand Forks; daughter Karyn (Ken) Vasek of East Grand Forks; four grandchildren Savannah (Quinn) Courteau of Roseville, MN, Carter (Breanna Kressin) Vasek of Minneapolis, Aliyah and Hunter Vasek of East Grand Forks, brother Cliff (Alayne) Nelson of Crookston, MN; in-laws Virgil (Noel) Olson of Grand Forks, Carol (Dan) Baarstad (Casselton, ND), Barbara (Bruce) Wold of Cologne, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Edna Nelson, parents-in-law William and Pearl Olson, and brother-in-law Robert Olson.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

 

VISITATION: 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Dahl Funeral Home, 2029 Central Ave. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721, with a PRAYER SERVICE at 7:00 PM. 

 

INTERMENT: Resurrection Cemetery of East Grand Forks in the spring of 2025.