Edward Nelson

Edward T. Nelson, 81, a resident of Ottertail, formerly of Thief River Falls, died Monday, October 11, 2010, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls. Edward was born on October 30, 1928 in Kennedy, MN, the son of Albin and Lillie (Johnson) Nelson.   He graduated from the Crookston Agricultural College and also served in the United States Army during the Korean War. In 1953, he married Helen Johnson in Bethesda, MD. He graduated from the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota in 1959. After graduation the couple moved to Thief River Falls, where he practiced dentistry until his retirement in 1992, when the couple retired to their lake home on Ottertail Lake. He served as past president of the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry and fellow of the American College of Dentists. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and served both his community and his profession in many other capacities. Ed enjoyed flying, sailing, cycling, singing and yard work. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. Preceding him in death were his parents; three sisters, Gladys Anderson, Olive Christensen and Elaine Halvorson and one brother, Donald Nelson. Survivors include his wife, Helen of Ottertail, MN; four children, Peter (Laurie) Nelson of St. Cloud, Thomas (Lynn) Nelson of Duluth, Kari Nelson (Steve Meyer) of Northfield and Lisa Nelson of St. Louis Park; eight grandchildren, Karen and Kim Nelson, Eric and Kari Nelson, Ted, Martha and Frank Meyer and Anders Nelson. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel, Minneapolis. A private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Arrangements provided by the Olson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls and Gill Brothers Funeral Chapel of Minneapolis.