Arthur Nelson

Arthur Oliver Nelson, 93, a resident of Underwood, died Monday, March 14, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Center in Battle Lake. He was born on March 23, 1917, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the only child of Arne and Ingrid (Olson) Nelson. He grew up and attended school in Fergus Falls, graduating from high school in 1935. He worked for the Fergus Creamery from 1935-1936. In the fall of 1936 he began working for the Sash and Door Company, working there until 1954. During the summer of 1943 he worked for the Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond, California. On October 23, 1949, he married Elaine Alison Haukebo at the Sverdrup Lutheran Church in Underwood. From 1954 – 1956 he was self-employed as a handyman and carpenter in Fergus Falls. In the fall of 1956 he began working for West Ottertail Service in Underwood until 1964 when it became Lakeside Service. Art served as the manager, working there until 1968. From 1956 – 1959 he also drove bus for the Underwood schools. From 1968 to 1972 he was the custodian for the Herman school district. In 1972 he became the head custodian at the Underwood schools until his retirement in 1977. Art was a member of Sverdrup Lutheran Church. He enjoyed ice fishing, old time music, and watching the Fun Time Polka TV show on Saturdays. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Elaine, on May 11, 1997; and a granddaughter, Melissa, in 1986. Survivors include two daughters, Ingrid (Gary) Sletten of Underwood, and Kayla Nelson of Fergus Falls; six sons: Arthur (Yvonne) of Rochester, Bruce (Jennifer) of Clarissa, Karl of Owatonna, David (Jeannie) of Pillager, Peter (Tammy) of Eagle River, Alaska, and Curtis (Jill) of Litchfield; 23 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Sverdrup Lutheran Church in Underwood Clergy: Reverend Nancy Monke Interment: Sverdrup Lutheran Cemetery, Underwood, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center Building Fund.