Argalus “Argy” Nelson

Maxbass

Argalus Argy” Nelson—-92, Maxbass, N.D., passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 in a Minot hospital.

Argalus was born on October 21, 1930 at Trinity Hospital, a son of Alfred T. and Mabel (Ronshaugen) Nelson. The family moved to the current Nelson family farm near Maxbass, when he was ten years old. Argy and his brother, Harland, helped their dad build the barn that still stands today. He attended Glenburn Public School, graduating in 1948. He furthered his education by attending North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., where he majored in auto body.

Argy spent time in Portland, OR, where he worked building the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. He also worked at the Madway plant and MAFB building the housing units.

He was once married to Betty Steen. Together, they adopted 3 children.

On May 5, 1967, Argy was united in marriage to Rochelle Stromberg, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, near Glenburn, N.D. They made their home on the Nelson farm where they farmed, ranched, and raised their family. For 10 years, he owned and operated the Nelson-Westland Service Station in Glenburn and was a well-known mechanic. He then built a shop on the farm and started Argy’s Repair. In addition, he worked for the United States Postal Service for over 30 years as a rural mail carrier. His route was 90 stops in 110 miles. Following retirement, in 1993, he continued to farm, raise cattle and even cut hay at the age of 90. Argy knew how to work and he worked hard his entire life. He was kind and generous and full of shenanigans. He knew everybody and had a story or experience to tell. Ole, Lena and Lars jokes were always abundant. When someone said nobody is going to buy any more tickets, Argy would sell every raffle ticket left. He was also a teacher, teaching you without you knowing it, often by letting you do it wrong, then showing you how to do it right.

Argy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenburn, a founding member of Pathfinder Services of N.D., Glenburn Fire Department, Glenburn Community Development Corporation, Glenburn and Hooterville Lions Clubs, Glenburn Senior Citizens Center and played Santa Claus in Glenburn for many years.

Argy could always be found in the front row of the gym watching his grandkids basketball and volleyball games. He taught them to drive stick shift in the Subaru, play Gin Rummy, and enjoyed taking his dogs to Minot for cheeseburgers and an ice cream cone. Argy spent much of his recent time driving around town and the county side, just to see what everyone was up to.

Those who shared in his life:

Wife of 55 years, Rochelle; Children, Larry LJ” (Judy) Nelson, Kim (Mark) Haugen, Jodi (Chad) Spokely, Todd (Janice) Nelson; daughter-in-law: Teri Nelson; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Argy was preceded in death by his parents, a son Warren, daughter Jan (Don) Gear, granddaughter Amie Leigh Gear, great-granddaughter Iylee Faye Douts, brother Harland (Sharon) Nelson, father and mother-in-law Morris and Isabelle Stromberg.

Visitation: Monday, March 13, 2023 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Glenburn, N.D. The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to Thompson-Larson Funeral Home’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thompson-larsonfuneralhome3198

Burial: Our Savior’s Cemetery, Glenburn, N.D.

Memorials preferred to Pathfinder Services of N.D. or Lansford Ambulance Service.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 11, 2023.