Randy Nelson

Randy Nelson, 61, went to be with the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008 after a long and brave battle with illness. He passed away peacefully in his own home. He will be remembered by many for his faith, wisdom, strength, and the kindness he showed to others. Randy is a retired teacher at Wadena Deer Creek High school for 32 years, a master wood-worker, trapper, and owner of Nelson’s Fur Tree. His finely crafted furniture and tanned items adorn many homes throughout the area and beyond. Randy enjoyed trapping, hunting, fishing, and being with his family. He loved the Lord with all his heart. Every morning you would find Randy reading his Bible, and he enjoyed attending church at the Verndale Christian & Missionary Alliance. He loved being with his grandchildren, especially at their “lake place”. Every Sunday and Wednesday Randy and his brother, Kevin, would chat on the computer, their favorite means of communication. Randy was born in St. Paul on August 18, 1947. He completed his Bachelors degree in teaching at Bemidji State University and went on to complete his Masters equivalency. Randy left behind his wife of 35 years, Vickie; daughter Shawna (Jeral) Croaker, ND, and granddaughter Jaida of Fargo, ND; daughter Jessie (Ryan) Schultz, and granddaughter Emmalee and grandson Kadin of Moorhead; mother and father Eljane and Andy Mertely of Hibbing; brother Kevin (Dee) Nelson of Mt. Iron; sisters Melanie Nelson of Hibbing, Cathy (Jim) Anderson of Plymouth, and Connie Mitchell of Aurora; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kathy and David Morrison of Shoreview; and many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog Gretta, “the best dog I ever had” as Randy put it. Randy was preceded in death by his father Allen Nelson; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Gail and Florenced Vaughn. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Verndale. Interment was in the Leaf River Cemetery in rural Wadena. Honorary pallbearers were Sam Phillips, Bernie Nelson, Denny Barry, Craig Klawitter, Bud Berquist, Don Dague, Byron Westman, Fred Palloch, and John Kallevig. Active pallbearers were Kevin Nelson, David Morrison, Jeral Croaker, Ryan Schultz, Bert Jeffrey, Robert Zimmerman, Jason Ervasti, Terral Kallevigand Dewey Schmitz. Randy will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. He had many faithful friends and fellow teachers that showed much kindness to his family. We want to thank the community for the support and compassion shown to us, we are truly touched by the kindness we have been given in the past year. 1 Thes. 4:13, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Thes. 4:18 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For we know that when we leave these bodies we will have a home in Heaven. So comfort and encourage each other with these words. Randy would want you not to grieve for him, but to be happy for him.

Randy Nelson

August 18, 1947 - November 27, 2008