James (Jim) Kent Nelson, age 64, of Dilworth, MN, formerly of Kathryn ND, passed away on December 29th at his residence of natural causes.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, May 14th at Oliver Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. His burial took place on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Fargo National Cemetery
Jim was born to Walter Vernon Nelson and Dorothy Irene (Ekern)Nelson on August 29th, 1957. He was the fifth child of six.
Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Kathryn. He graduated from Kathryn High School in 1975 and served in the US Army from 1975 to 1978 where he learned his lifelong trade of welding. Jim did most of his service in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was married three times and had one daughter, Savannah Jo Johnson (Nelson) from his first marriage.
Jim was a professional welder working in Beulah, ND and New Hampshire for 25 years. He was self-employed and operated his business, JC Welding. Jim was a steel builder and earned contracts for buildings, including Walmart Stores. He also received a patent for his welded ice chippers and created many of them.
Jim was very proud of being a veteran and an American. His favorite colors were red, white, and blue. Jim was a bare back rider and participated in the ND high school champion rodeo in 1975, while in the service and back in Fort Ransom, ND. He enjoyed country music, especially Chris LeDoux. Jim loved Ford trucks and he liked to talk about his younger days of rodeoing, but mostly liked to talk. His mom said he should have been an auctioneer or a preacher. In Norwegian he would have been called a “cheft douse”, translated as “a talker”. Sometimes being a wild flare, Jim had his share of troubles, but he called his sister every day for the last two years just to check in. They enjoyed some trips together, including his wish to see the Peace Gardens last summer. Jim walked his neighborhood every day, enjoying his visits with the local store clerks. He also enjoyed making pies, especially strawberry-rhubarb.
Jim is survived by his very much-loved daughter Savannah Jo (Benjamin) Johnson and three grandchildren, Arabelle, Beckham and Remi; four siblings, Virginia (Gini) (Jim) Stevens, Sharon (Dennis) Coleman, Connie (Rodney) Olson and Wayne (Sandy) Nelson; one uncle, Marvin Nelson and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Dorothy Nelson and youngest brother, Jeffrey Dale Nelson.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook is available at olivernathanchapel.com