Lois Laverne Nelson

Lois LaVerne (Bartholomay) Nelson died Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Elim Care Center, Fargo.
Lois was born at Davenport, ND on July 27, 1915, the daughter of Frank and Blanche Bartholomay. She graduated from Leonard High School and graduated from Interstate Business College.

She married Donald Nelson in 1936 at Leonard, ND and they made their home in Fargo. Together they owned and operated Don's Hamburger Shop from 1936 to 1962, known throughout the region for its 5-cent hamburgers and 10-cent Chili Con Carne. In 1947 they founded Dakota Food Equipment, a supplier of smallwares and equipment for the restaurant/foodservice industry, located at 316 Main Avenue, later moving to 1802 First Avenue South, working together as a family business until they both retired in the 1980s.

She was a member of Olivet Lutheran Church, the Arab Patrol Auxiliary, and Zonta International. She was an active member in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, serving as a local, state, and international president. As Grand Madam President of the Eagles, she was an ambassador throughout the United States and Canada, promoting membership and the many humanitarian efforts that the organization supports. Closest to her heart was Home on the Range at Sentinel Butte, ND, which as her special project raised funds for the building and furnishing of its first dormitory. In later years, she would serve on their Board of Directors. She was an active member of her local Auxiliary until her death, supporting their efforts in fundraising for a variety of medical research projects. She belonged to their Ritual team, Memorial team, and Drill team, winning national honors in competition. For her commitment to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, she was honored with the Hall of Fame Award for the Dakota State Eagles and the National Eagles. She was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains, the local and state Mr. & Mrs. Eagle Award, the Dakota State Public Relations Award, and The Virginia Turner Memorial Award. Throughout the years, she enjoyed Twins Baseball, NDSU Football, and playing pinochle, Skip Bo, and Bingo.

She is survived by her children: Duane (Lila), Grand Forks, ND, Darrel, Hawley, MN, Beverly Stewart, Ft. Wayne, IN, Robert (Dorothy), West Fargo, ND, and Janice (Rick) Hanson, Fargo, ND; a sister, Joanne Groth, Fargo, ND, and her adopted daughter, Ruth Hyndman, Ft. Wayne, IN. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald in 2003; her parents; brothers, Eugene, Roger, Darrel, and Francis, and sisters, Eileen Rustad, Doris Brekke and Phyllis Bartholomay.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Home on the Range, 16351 I-94, Sentinel Butte, ND 58654 or a charity of your choice.

The family is very grateful for the special care she received at Elim Care Center and Hospice of the Red River Valley.