Gordon Nelsen

August 4, 1921 - June 9, 2011

Gordon Elmer Nelsen was born on August 4, 1921 in Luverne, ND, the son of Anton and Fredrika (Base) Nelsen. He attended 1st and 2nd grade in Luverne and the Baldwin School through 5th grade. 6th through 8th grades were spent at Ladbury School, and he graduated from Dazey High School in 1939. Following high school, he attended NDSU and took blacksmith and machinist training. Gordon then went to California and worked for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank. He joined the United States Navy. On November 15, 1944, he married Emma Monson in Riverside, CA. Following his discharge on November 4, 1945, they made their home in Valley City, ND. He worked at the Harold Davidson Machine Shop there. Gordon, along with 2 other gentlemen, started Dakota Machine Shop, which became part of Tri-WG. He retired in 1980. During their retirement years, he and Emma spent many winters living in Florida. They moved to Holly Springs, NC in 2007 and then to Inver Grove Heights, MN. Emma died on January 26, 2011. He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. He belonged to the American Legion and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and bowling. Gordon died at his home in Inver Grove Heights on June 9, 2011. He is survived by 4 daughters, Brenda (James) Bernau of Holly Springs, NC, Patricia (Bill) Selelyo of Twin Falls, ID, Karen (Greg) Stephan of Inver Grove Heights, MN and Ellen (Lee) Feldmann of Minot, ND; 7 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. A brother, Ernest (Marion) Nelsen of Valley City, ND and sister, Della (Ernest) Johnson of Mesa, AZ also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.