Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather. Marvin Milford Nelson was born
March 28, 1923 to Sophie (Evenstad) and Nick Nelson in Nome, ND. He attended elementary
school at Daily Rural #2 and was the first in his family to graduate from Kathryn High. After
completing coursework at Interstate Business College in Fargo, he worked at a bank in
Nome. Marvin served during WWII in the U.S. Army Black Hawk Division in both the
European and Pacific Theaters.
After his service, he returned to purchase and farm the family farm. He married the
love of his life, Solveig Granlund, in Fort Ransom. They began their life together on the
original Nelson family farm where they raised their 4 children.
After years of dedicated work on the farm where he cared for and milked cows, raised
beef cattle, sheep, pigs, grew small grain crops and corn and hayed, Marvin sold his dairy
herd (“the saddest day of my life”). He then began his 2 nd career as custodian, bus driver and
all around fix-it man at the Kathryn school in the late 70s. Through this he developed a new
fan club of school bus riders who for the rest of his life would make a point of stopping to visit
with Mr. Nelson.
Marvin was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he served on the
church board, ushered and supported all aspects of church life. He also served over 50 years
as the Oakhill Township clerk.
Marvin was the consummate farmer, working long days through all kinds of weather
and equally proud of a well placed farm with well kept and maintained buildings and great
lengths of white painted fences. Celebrating the farm centennial in 2016 showcased this
beauty.
Solveig and Marvin moved to Bridgeview Estates in Valley City in 2009. She passed away in
March, 2014. Marvin passed away peacefully at his beloved farm on July 23, 2022, attended
by his daughters, Susie and Patty.
He is survived by son, Barry (Sue) Nelson, daughters, Patty (Larry) Pederson, Susie
(Tim) Jorgenson, and Mary Ann (Bill) Wieland, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and
several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, 3 sisters, 4
brothers, and dear friends, Harland Hesselberg and Maurice Thoreson.
In Marvin’s memory, please consider a donation to your charity of choice; or you may
designate St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery or Barnes County Food Pantry.
The family expresses sincere gratitude to the staff at Bridgeview who became family and for
the care of CHI Hospice.
The funeral service for Marvin M. Nelson, 99, will be Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 2 pm at
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kathryn, ND. Visitation will be 12:30 pm until the time of the
service at the church. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral
Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com