Louis Nelson

Louis Nelson, 89, Edgeley, ND, Thursday, January 4, 2007 at St. Rose Care Center, LaMoure, ND.
Louis Christian Nelson was born October 15, 1917 in Willowbank Township near Edgeley, ND, the son of Laurits L.C. and Magdalene (Jessen) Nelson. He attended the Willowbank Township Country School and Edgeley High School, graduating in 1936. He attended North Dakota Agriculture College, where was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and also Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND.
He married Dorothy Goodrich in Ellendale, ND on March 8, 1943. They settled on a farm in Willowbank Township, later moving to the family farm when his parents retired and moved into Edgeley in 1948. They farmed there until retiring and moved to a country home on Highway 281 in 1979, where he planted many beautiful pine trees. They moved into Edgeley in 2005 and Louis entered St. Rose Care Center in LaMoure in January of 2006.
Louis started the first Edgeley Investors Club and was its first president. He was president of the Edgeley Bowling Association, and a member of the Willowbankers Team and president of the Edgeley Golf Club. In 2002, he was given a plaque and recognized for his contribution to the club. Louis practiced Masonic Rights at the Edgeley Lodge until membership dwindled and members transferred to the Jamestown Lodge, where he continued as a member. He was an active member
of the Maple River Chapter #27 Order of the Eastern Star in Edgeley and a Worthy Patron many times.
Duplicate Bridge was a hobby of both Louis and Dorothy. They played in many Regional and National tournaments in both the United States and Canada, always as partners. They obtained Life Master, the highest honor to attain in bridge, in St. Louis, MO in 1973. They were both Certified Bridge Directors, having passed the test in Pasadena, CA in 1977. He was also a past president of ND Unit 114 and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was elected to the National Board of Governors of the Americans Contract Bridge League, representing his district for 5 consecutive 3 year terms. Their mailbox with cards and pheasant trophies won at the Aberdeen tournament and was pictured on the cover of the National Bridge Bulletin in July of 1980 with their picture. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Edgeley and served many years on the Sessions. He was commissioner to Presbytery many times and served on many committees and as a delegate to Synod representing the Presbytery.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, Edgeley; 3 sons: Loren (LaVerne) Nelson, Edgeley, ND; Howard (Charlotte) Nelson, Carrington, ND; Gene Nelson, Broomfield, CO; 4 grandchildren: Bryan Nelson, Clark Summit, PA; Dana (Brad) Parkhouse, Casselton, ND; Jody Nelson, Itasca, TX; Kay (Gerard) Retzer, Long Lake, SD; 7 great-grandchildren: Breanna, Patrick, Kaylee and Alexander Nelson, Clark Summit, PA; Prairie and Kodi Retzer, Long Lake, SD; Bennett Parkhouse, Casselton, ND and 1 brother, Emil, Edgeley, ND.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents; twin sisters, Leona Musland and Anna Knutson; a brother, Clarence and twin grandsons.
Funeral - 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church, Edgeley, ND.
Prayer Service - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2007 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Edgeley, ND.
Visitation - 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2007 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Edgeley, ND and 1 hour prior to services at the church on Monday.
Interment - Mount Hope Cemetery, Edgeley, ND