MARTIN G. NELSON obituary

LIVINGSTON - Martin G. Nelson, 85, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at a Livingston rehabilitation center.

Cremation took place following a family visitation at Franzen-Davis Crematory.

Memorial services will be Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston, with the Rev. David Greep of the Holbrook United Methodist Church officiating.

Martin was born in Havre to Otto and Julia Nelson on June 26, 1917. He spent his early life, attended schools and graduated from the Havre schools. After working for a number of years with Buttrey Food Stores in Havre and Great Falls, he entered the U.S. Army on March 5, 1941. During World War II, he served in the European/African/ Middle Eastern Theater of operations. Following his discharge in September of 1945, he returned to Montana and worked in the restaurant business at various locations, including Havre, Missoula, Hamilton and Helena. While in Helena, he owned and operated the Zip In and Out restaurant. In 1970 Martin went to work as a calibrator with the Montana Department of Weights and Measures.

Martin married Eunice C. Cantwell in Livingston on Aug. 23, 1980. They made their home in Livingston ever since. He retired from the state of Montana in 1984.

Martin was a member of the Helena Masonic Lodge #3 and the Algeria Shrine Temple of Helena, where he served on the Black Horse Patrol and the motorcycle patrol. He was a member of the senior citizens of Park County. He always looked forward to family reunions in Montana and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Rose Christiansen.

Survivors include his wife, Eunice Nelson of Livingston; son, Roger (Lynne) Nelson of Helena; daughter, Vickie Busch of Helena; stepdaughters, Judy (Harold) Hunter of Bozeman and Lori (John) Branger of Ennis; bothers, Earl (Patti) Nelson of Havre and Art Nelson of Portland, Ore.; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.