1919
Ervin
2016
Ervin Russell Nelson
March 3, 1919 — March 27, 2016
Ervin “Erv” Russell Nelson, age 97, a resident of Fergus Falls, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 27, 2016, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Fergus Falls.
Ervin was born on March 3, 1919, to Peter and Ida (Nelson) Nelson, on a farm near Henning. He attended school in Henning and later moved to Elizabeth, where he worked as a farmhand for area farmers. On July 17, 1940, he joined the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific and was a survivor aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Later he was on the U.S.S. North Hampton that was sunk as well. Upon his discharge on July 25, 1946, he returned to Elizabeth, where he operated the “Little Dipper Tavern.”
On March 29, 1943, he married Mae Tomhave in Boston, MA, and they lived in Princeton for a while, later returning to Elizabeth. Erv owned the Silver Dollar Saloon in Elizabeth until 1975, when he moved to Fergus Falls.
Erv enjoyed carpentry projects, travelling, cars, baseball and old time music and dancing. He was easy going and gentle will be remembered by his family and friends for his generosity and kindness. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, the Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 and the Fergus Falls VFW Post 612.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ida Nelson; eight siblings, Clifford, Murphy, Elmer, Laura, Lilly, Mayme, Elsie and Palmer; his two wives, Mae Nelson in 1976 and Alice Nelson in 1997; and his lovely companion, Ardis Denbrook in 2003.
Erv is survived by his daughter, Debra (Charles) Blondeau of Fergus Falls; his granddaughter, Elizabeth (Steven) Gundersen of Fergus Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 12:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Service: 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at First Lutheran Church
Clergy: Reverend Stan Satre
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 612
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Ervin was born on March 3, 1919, to Peter and Ida (Nelson) Nelson, on a farm near Henning. He attended school in Henning and later moved to Elizabeth, where he worked as a farmhand for area farmers. On July 17, 1940, he joined the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific and was a survivor aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Later he was on the U.S.S. North Hampton that was sunk as well. Upon his discharge on July 25, 1946, he returned to Elizabeth, where he operated the “Little Dipper Tavern.”
On March 29, 1943, he married Mae Tomhave in Boston, MA, and they lived in Princeton for a while, later returning to Elizabeth. Erv owned the Silver Dollar Saloon in Elizabeth until 1975, when he moved to Fergus Falls.
Erv enjoyed carpentry projects, travelling, cars, baseball and old time music and dancing. He was easy going and gentle will be remembered by his family and friends for his generosity and kindness. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, the Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 and the Fergus Falls VFW Post 612.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ida Nelson; eight siblings, Clifford, Murphy, Elmer, Laura, Lilly, Mayme, Elsie and Palmer; his two wives, Mae Nelson in 1976 and Alice Nelson in 1997; and his lovely companion, Ardis Denbrook in 2003.
Erv is survived by his daughter, Debra (Charles) Blondeau of Fergus Falls; his granddaughter, Elizabeth (Steven) Gundersen of Fergus Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 12:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Service: 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at First Lutheran Church
Clergy: Reverend Stan Satre
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 612
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ervin Russell Nelson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, March 31, 2016
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Lutheran Church
Service
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Lutheran Church
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