David Nelson

Obituary

David Kenneth Nelson was born on July 22, 1950, in Sleepy Eye to Kenneth and Esther (Anderson) Nelson. He grew up in Fairfax, working on the century farm with his family. David graduated from Fairfax High School in 1968. He was very active in football, FFA (showing sheep and growing potatoes), as well as the 4-H Club. David attended college at Southwest State University in Marshall from 1968 - 1972. He majored in Agriculture and Business. After college, he worked at Thorp Loan in Northfield, Austin, and St. Peter. It was then that he met and fell in love with Doris (Norberg) Nelson, from Dundas. They married in a June wedding the year of 1975 at Palmyra Mission Covenant Church in Hector, and began their love-filled life together.

David was known by almost everyone in Fairfax. He worked first at Fidelity State Bank, and then worked for several  years as an Agent and the Office Manager for Palmyra Farmers Mutual Insurance in Franklin. He thoroughly enjoyed helping people and getting to know them. David worked at the office in the daytime, and worked his “true passion” after office hours—farming. He worked with his father Kenneth, and then later his son Eric, on the family farm. If you asked him, he would gladly gush about the longevity of the Nelson farm’s tenure—having been established and continually farmed by the same family since 1872. 

David was passionate and enthusiastic about life. He loved music—especially hymns and Swedish music. He treasured watching his children and grandchildren share in Special Music for church. He would also make special trips to watch those he loved perform—whether it was in a different city or state. Being outdoors was his favorite place. If he wasn’t in the field on his tractor, he was in the garden, working with his sheep, or possibly spending time out in the woods or by a lake. David and his family cherished their time at Gull Lake near Brainerd, where they traveled every year from 1975-2018. He made sure to document every special moment with his family using either his camcorder or his camera, even if most of the pictures turned out blurry. David loved his Swedish heritage, and had visited many good friends abroad in what he referred to as “the Motherland”. His love for Sweden carried over to his involvement in the Svenskarnas Dag program, the American Swedish Institute, as well as other Swedish programs and activities. David was always someone to rely on.  He enjoyed being a member of the Fairfax Lions Club. His involvement on the board for the Friends of Fort Ridgley proved that he was willing to fight for the things that mattered most to him and his community.  

Most of all, David’s heart shone with faith, and love for his family. They were his pride and joy. They were the ones who made him light-up, the ones who he bragged about to strangers, the ones who he prayed for daily. He found his true calling when he became a Husband, a Father and a Grandfather. David’s faith in Jesus was evident in his everyday life. He raised his children in the same church where he was raised and first heard about God’s love—Palmyra Covenant Church. He was baptized, confirmed, and married in this church. He was as active as one could be in the church, holding almost every leadership position available. David loved the church and passionately supported its work.

David is survived by his;
Wife,                      Doris Nelson of Fairfax, MN;
Children,               Anna Marie Nelson of Shakopee, MN,
                                KristenRae (Nelson) De Young (Kirk) of Mosinee, WI,
                                Eric David Nelson (Whitney) of Fairfax, MN, and
                                Sonja Lynn Nelson of Chicago, IL; 
Grandchildren, Cole, Ari, Aiden, Aaron, and Eva;
Sisters, Julie (Nelson) Storly (Roland) of Aberdeen, SD, and June (Nelson) Johnson (John) of Antioch, TN;
Several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

David was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wayne and Minnie Norberg,  and brother-in-law, DuWayne Norberg. 

Blessed be his memory, as we thank God for his life.