Earl C. Nelson

Earl C. Nelson

Earl C. Nelson, 80, died Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at Northern Montana Care Center, of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place, and his memorial service will be 11 a. m. Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at the First Lutheran Church, with Pastor Brad Ulgenes officiating.

Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in the Calvary Section. A fellowship will be held at the church immediately after the graveside service. Memorials in Earl's honor may be made to the Railroad Pagers, P.O. Box 1087, Havre, MT 59501 or to a memorial of one's choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Earl was born Dec.

5, 1930, in Havre, Mont., to Otto and Julia Nelson. He was raised and educated in Havre. He started with the Great Northern Railroad on Feb. 3, 1949, in the diesel shop. He transferred to Helena for one year and Livingston for one year. He retired as a mechanical foreman from the Havre Diesel Shop in 1985 after 36 years of service. He also worked a second job at Pehlke and Knutson Service Station for 10 years to help provide for his family.

Earl married Marilyn McKinsey on Jan. 14, 1949. To this union, five children were born. Marilyn passed away in 1983. Earl married Patti K. Blom Lewis on Nov. 23, 1985. Patti had one daughter. Together they enjoyed retirement, camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Earl also enjoyed working crossword puzzles and visiting with his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marilyn Nelson; one daughter, Julie Mohr; one brother, Martin Nelson; and one sister, Rose Christensen.

Earl is survived by his wife of 25 years, Patti K. Nelson of Havre; his children, Mark Nelson of Milwaukee, Ore., Larry Nelson of Salem, Ore., Peggy Trepina of Lake Oswego, Ore., Paul Nelson of Williston, N.D., and Laura Lea Lewis (Richard) Miller of New Hope, W.Va. ; one brother, Art (Mary) Nelson of Mesa, Ariz. ; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.