Melvin E. Nelson, age 79, of Homestead, MT and Williston, ND passed away Friday, June 12, 2009 at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point.
Melvin was born October 2 1929 in Froid, MT the son of Oscar and Fern Morrow Nelson. He graduated from Froid High School. Melvin stayed on the family farm at Homestead, eventually taking it over. In 1951, he was drafted in the U.S.Marine Corps and served two years as Corporal during Korean War. Melvin was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 44. He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, a 54 year member of the Sidney Elks Lodge, and for 12 years he was Secretary of the Medicine Lake Moose Lodge Chapter 586. He also served two terms on the Homestead Farmers Elevator Board.
Melvin married Darleen Steinert of Miles City, MT on October 30 of 1981. In 1997 they retired off the farm and moved to Williston, ND. Melvin and Darleen moved to Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point in March. They were blessed with the past 27 years together.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Fern Nelson, brothers, Duane and Orland Nelson, one sister, Rosemary Christoffersen and a grandson, Bryce Cotton.
He was survived by his wife, Darleen of Wolf Point (she passed away two days later); and is survived by three stepchildren, Terry (Shirley) Steinert of Red Lodge, MT, Diane Molstad of Miles City, MT and Verna (Kent) Cotton of Wolf Point; two brothers, Arden (Janet) Nelson of Whidbey Island, WA and Virgil (Gwen) of Hot Springs, MT; seven grandchildren, Lynette, Deryk, Danny, Farrah, Jason, Nathan and April; and six great-grandchildren, Braden, Bailey, Brydger, Abby, Ethan and Isaiah.
Funeral Services for Melvin and his wife, Darleen, will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2009 at Homestead Lutheran Church with Pastor Johnette Grefe officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Interment will follow at Big Lake Cemetery. A luncheon will be served following at the Homestead American Legion Hall.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.