Another classmate passes away

From our 1961 Sheyenne Yearbook

We were saddened to hear of the passing of classmate Dave Nelson on Monday, January 22, 2018. You may remember seeing and visiting with Dave at our 2010 Reunion in Valley City. It was great to see him then and sad to hear of his death. Thanks to Ron Morsch and Barb (Sheppard) for sending me the obituary from the Valley City Times-Record:

Dave Nelson (recent photograph from obituary)

David Allen Nelson, 74, died at the Aneta Parkview Health Center on January 22, 2018. Dave was born on November 1, 1943, in Valley City, ND, to Lloyd W. and Elizabeth A. (Anderson) Nelson. He grew up in Marsh Township and attended King School, rural Valley City, and then transferred to Valley City High School and graduated in 1961. He attended Valley City State College and participated on the wrestling team. In 1964, he joined the North Dakota National Guard and served 6 years.

On June 25, 1966, he married Vivian Berntson in Valley City. Dave started selling real estate at Lawn Realty, Inc., in 1968. He purchased the firm from his dad in 1970. He continued in the business until retiring in 2014.

He was an avid bowler in his younger years and he bowled two 300 games. At the time he bowled his first perfect game, local businesses offered a $2000 prize for such a feat. He used this prize money to buy his first 5 cows and get started in the cattle business, which was a lifelong passion for him. He raised registered polled herefords and showed cattle at various local, state, and national competitions. He was a member of the American Hereford Association and leader of the Marsh 4-H club for several years.

He enjoyed hunting both locally and in far flung places such as the Yukon Territory, Alaska and South Africa.

Dave is survived by his wife Vivian; son Brett, Palmer, AK; son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Jessica, Valley City, ND and their children Bryce, Corey and Jada; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Brooke, Valley City, ND and their daughter Harper; siblings, Cheryl (Myron) Senechal, Bismarck, ND; Gary, Valley City, ND; sisters-in-law, Ellrene (Duane) Sortland, Eileen Berntson, Lois (Bud) Badger, Anita (Tom) Erickson, Barbara (Raymond) Mewes, Olive (Howard) Rasmusson, and Gail Christl; brothers-in-law, Douglas (Ruth) Berntson, Delbert (Joan) Berntson, Durwin (Mary) Berntson, Dallas Berntson, and Darryl (Jeanne) Berntson; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Denton and Paulette Berntson; brothers-in-law Elmer Christl and David Berntson and nephew, Tod Erickson.
Services were planed for 11 am, Friday, January 26, 2018 in the Grace Free Lutheran Church, Valley City, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Friday in the church. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, rural Valley City at a later date. Oliver-Nathan Chapel of Valley City is in charge of the arrangements.