Harlowe Nelson

Harlowe Nelson, 70, of Ortonville, formerly of Stockholm, South Dakota died Sunday, April 5, 2015, at his home in Ortonville.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 9, 2015, at New Life Community Baptist Church beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5 – 7 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville and continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Rev. Phillip Ostlund will officiate. Casket bearers will be Arnold Rehn, Larry Tietjen, Larry Bear, Dennis Schmig, Chris Berkner, and Arlo Fish. Casket bearers will be Arnold Rehn, Larry Tietjen, Larry Bear, Dennis Schmig, Chris Berkner, and Arlo Fish. Honorary bearers will be Harlowe's nieces: Jessica Frost, Kelly Miller, and Heidi Rusch; and all of Harlowe's many friends, including Joel Fuller, Jeff Enquist, Kenny Evjen, Darrel Lindahl, Clayton Zemlicka, Lonnie Lundberg, Delores Rufer, Ryan Brehmer, Marlin Berkner. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Stockholm.

Harlowe Walford Nelson was born in Milbank, South Dakota on July 14, 1944, son of Simon and Ruby (Steffensen) Nelson. He attended Madison #5 School and graduated from Strandburg High School. Harlowe also completed a home study on mechanics. He farmed east of Stockholm.

On January 23, 1971, Harlowe and Crystal Brandsrud were united in marriage. They enjoyed going to Strandburg daily for dinner. Harlowe enjoyed farming and helping repair tractors and equipment for neighbors and friends.

Harlowe was a charter member of the Madison Junior Livestock 4-H Club. He was an inventor and manufacturer, spending all his spare time working in his shop. One of his first inventions was an ice auger. A couple of his last projects were a lawnmower made from a self-propelled swather, and a tractor for snow blowing using a Massey Ferguson Model 410 combine.

Harlowe Nelson died on April 5, 2015 at his home, having reached the age of 70.

Cherishing his memory are his wife Crystal, of Ortonville, MN; brothers Cliff (Denise) Nelson of Stockholm, SD, and Lane (Teresa) Nelson of Ortonville, MN; nieces: Jessica Frost of Ortonville, MN; Kelly (Chuck) Miller of St. Petersburg, FL; and Heidi (Tom) Rusch of Minneapolis, MN; mother-in-law Murna Brandsrud; and sisters-in-law Pat Anderson and Jackie (Bill) Rieffenberger.

Harlowe was preceded in death by his parents; baby sister Eva; father-in-law Max Brandsrud; and aunts and uncles.