James Kenneth Nelson

James (Jim) Kenneth Nelson (83) passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at Rosewood Nursing Home following a brief illness. He was born in Valley City on September 18, 1930, and grew up while helping on the family farm in Svea Township near Litchville. He played varsity basketball for five years and graduated from high school in 1948. He attended State School of Science in Wahpeton before enlisting in the Navy in 1950. He served 4 years during the Korean War, including a year as a Flight Engineer on PBY patrol and rescue planes based in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. His experience in aviation maintenance would continue for another 34 years as he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1954. A proud member of the Happy Hooligans, he started his career with the 178th Fighter Squadron working on P-51 Mustangs and was in quality control with the F-16’s when he retired in 1988.

Jim married Nancy Norgaard of Valley City in 1952, and moved to Fargo after completing his Navy enlistment. They lovingly raised two children, son Scott and daughter Julie. They enjoyed 62 years together sharing many great times with their friends and neighbors in north Fargo. Jim was also a great dog lover, with cocker spaniels running the household, and a 50-year member of Messiah Lutheran Church. Jim was also a member of Post 2 of the American Legion and VFW Post 262, serving as a member of the color guard for almost 20 years.

Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing in North Dakota. He spent many hours with his father-in-law and son on Lake Ashtabula in search of walleyes and northerns which generally resulted in a few bullheads. An excellent shot, he had better luck hunting ducks and pheasants in the area southwest of Valley City near the farm where he grew up.

Jim was also a loyal Twins fan making a trip to the Metropolitan Stadium or the Metrodome every year. His trips to the 1965 All-Star Game and the 1991 World Series were among the highlights.

Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, Rosewood Nursing Home, Fargo; their son Scott (Bonnie) of Edina, MN; their daughter Julie (Kirk) Hawley of Fargo; Grandchildren: David McDowell of Cheney, WA.; Amanda (Jeremy) Leichtenberg of West Fargo, Shannon (Jeff) Betz of Cheney, WA; Ian Nelson of Portland, OR and Annie Nelson of Chicago, IL. Great-granddaughters Hana McDowell, Cheney, WA, and Emma Leichtenberg, West Fargo, and twin great-granddaughters, Ashlyn and Makenzie Leichtenberg born last December. His great-granddaughters brought him great joy late in his life.

We would like to thank the staff at Rosewood and Villa Maria Nursing Home as well as Hospice of the Red River Valley for the great care Jim received during his last few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Fargo Humane Society or Messiah Lutheran Church.