HAROLD NELSON

Harold Nelson, 79, of the Palmer-Butte area died Jan. 18, 2003, at his home, from congestive heart failure after a long period of illness.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at his home at 3400 S. Marth Rd on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.

Harold was born Oct. 14, 1923, to Knute Sevaldstad Nelson and Margaret Petra (Knudsen) Nelson in Lake Andes, Charles Mix County, S.D., on his family farm. He lived on this farm and attended school. He graduated from Geddes High School in South Dakota in 1942.

Harold and Bonnadean Shortreed were married on Dec. 24, 1944, at the Methodist Parsonage in Geddes, S.D. To this union nine children were born.

When he was a young man he broke wild horses to ride for his neighbors and friends in the Lake Andes area. He served his country in World War II in the European Theatre of War. He was a farmer, rancher and a construction worker on the Missouri River dam in South Dakota in the 1950s. In 1962 he purchased and operated Tangle Lake Lodge until 1965 at Mile 20 Denali Hwy., Alaska. He worker on Eielson A.F.B. and Clear Missile Site, both in Alaska, and as a power plant mechanic from 1965 until 1973.

His family said, "He was a gem of a man and showed his strength of character in his rehabilitation efforts after he had lost his right leg because of an infection in 2001. He was a loving husband and father -- a very witty man who enjoyed life and always had a kind of word and joke to liven up our lives. Harold will be missed by his loving wife, their large family and his faithful dog, 'Pretty Lady.'"

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Chris and Andy; sister Hannah Paden; his three children, Daroy, Craig and Douglas; one grandson and one great granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife Bonnadean; five sons and one daughter: Keith and wife Charlotte, Gary and wife Janice, Daniel and wife Debra all of Alaska, Kendall and partner Rhonda from Henry, S.D., Clint and partner Christine and daughter Jeanette and husband Dennis Ray both of Alaska; two brothers, Neis, Maxine and family and Lioyde Nelson, all of Lake Andes, S.D; and 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family requests memorial contributions go to Hospice of Mat-Su at 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Wasilla AK 99654.