Lawrence B. Nelson, 91

Lawrence B. Nelson, 91 of Barnesville, died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Innovis Health, Fargo.

Lawrence, the son of Julius and Annette (Hanson) Nelson, was born Jan. 19, 1917, in Tansem Township of Clay County. He attended school and grew to manhood in that area. After his schooling he farmed until June of 1941, when he entered the U.S. Army.

He served in the European Theater of War during World War II. Lawrence drove a halftrack and was part the D-Day Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945. He returned to western Minnesota and farmed with his brother.

Lawrence married Gladyce Ruud on June 29, 1947, at the parsonage of South Immanuel Lutheran Church in Otter Tail County. The couple made their home in Barnesville where he worked for Skaar Body Shop in Barnesville until 1958.

In 1958, they purchased the body shop and renamed it Nelson Body and Paint Shop. The also owned and operated the North Star Gas Station in Barnesville.

Lawrence retired in 1979 due to poor health. He continued to live in Barnesville until the time of his death.

He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran church in Barnesville. He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post 4628 and past Post Commander. He was also a member of the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence enjoyed bowling, woodworking and gardening. He also enjoyed the delicate art of putting miniatures in bottles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Selma Wee, Clara Julsrud, Gilma Nelson, Ruby Hagen and Evelyn Ness; five brothers, William, James, Alben, Reuben; and one brother who died in infancy.

He is survived by his wife, Gladyce of Barnesville; two sons, Kevin Nelson and Keith Nelson, both of Barnesville; three grandsons, Tyler, Trevor and Aaron Nelson, all at home in Barnesville; two brothers, Robert Nelson of West Fargo and Elmer (Eunice) Nelson of Pelican Rapids; one sister, Lillian Resset of Pelican Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home

Service: 11 a.m. Friday, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Barnesville

Clergy: Rev. Dick Radde

Burial: City Cemetery, Barnesville, with military honors provided by the honor guard of the VFW Post 4628 and the American Legion Post 153, both in Barnesville

Funeral Home: Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville