Clifford Nelson

Clifford A. Nelson was born Jan. 11, 1920, to Gustave and Lydia (Foss) Nelson. He was born and raised on the family farm near Hetland, S.D. He graduated from Hetland High School in 1938, and attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., on an athletic scholarship, graduating in 1942. After receiving his naval commission from Columbia University in NYC, he served from 1943 to 1946 aboard ship as a U.S. Naval officer.

In 1949, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Gullickson, in Mohall. Together they raised four children, attending every track meet, wrestling meet, softball game, music concert, church event, plays and musicals that came their way. They were active members of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot for 61 years and will always consider Bethany their home.

He was hired as school superintendent in Souris and then in Des Lacs before being employed as a seventh grade social studies teacher in Minot, retiring in 1981. He received his master’s degree from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He was a champion of all things “Minot” and read The Minot Daily News until his last days. He enjoyed visiting the Minot Public Library almost daily for many years, long rides around town watching all of the new development, summer evening walks and Minot State and Minot High basketball. The Norsk Hostfest, lutefisk and lefse, music of all kinds, politics and world events were some of his favorites. Visits with family and friends and the Edgewood Vista community, where they made their home for two years, were also a very important part of his life.

In July 2013, he and Marilyn moved to the Northfield Retirement Community to be near daughter Jackie. While there, he and Marilyn made new friends and enjoyed the many visits from family and friends. He will be remembered for his wit, the love for his family, including his many nieces and nephews, the generous encouragement he offered to all he met and his unwavering faith in God.

The family is forever grateful to the NRC staff for the professional and loving care given to their father.

Cliff is survived by: his loving wife of 65 years, Marilyn; daughters, Shari (Lew) Lapof of Bellingham, Wash., and Jackie (Kevin) Wille of Nerstrand, Minn.; sons, Jim Nelson, of Tillamook, Ore., and Ron Nelson, of Reno, Nev.; grandchildren, Megan (Adam) Miller, Nick Lapof, Rita Lapof, Davis Wille, Martin Harrington Nelson, Lizzie Harrington Nelson and Luke Nelson; one great-grandson, the recent joy of his life, Cameron Miller.

He was preceded in death by: his parents and six siblings, Mervin, Glen, Nora, Agnes, Margaret and Beverly, now all finally together again.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, in the chapel of the Northfield Retirement Center.

Graveside service, with military honors: 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot. All are welcome to join Clifford’s daughters for the graveside service.

Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot and Northfield Retirement Community, Northfield.

Local arrangements are by Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot; arrangements in Minnesota are by Benson and Langehough Funeral Home, Northfield.

Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.