David A. Nelson

David A. Nelson, age 87, of Glenwood, died Friday, February 9, 2024, at Glenwood Retirement Village. A memorial service for David will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.
David Allen Nelson was born on April 5, 1936, on the family farm in Big Stone County near Clinton, Minnesota to parents Bennie J. and Anna Marie (Steen) Nelson. The youngest of six, he grew up on the farm and attended school in Clinton, where he graduated from high school in 1954. He and his family were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1956, Dave entered the Army Signal Corps, where he served his country with honor until his discharge in March 1959. It was during a visit home on leave that he married the love of his life, Janet "Jan" Elaine Nelson, on December 27, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton. Together, they made their home in Moorhead where David graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College. In 1966, they moved to Breckenridge, where they would build a life filled with love, laughter, and family.
A respected educator, Dave taught algebra at Breckenridge High School, shaping the minds and futures of countless students. He was also driver's education instructor. Dave's industrious nature led him to operate Dave's TV Works for over 22 years, where he repaired televisions, and he lent his technical skills as a radio station engineer at KBMW in Breckenridge.
Dave's life was a testament to his hands-on approach and his ability to fix almost anything. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Moorhead and was a proud member of the Clinton VFW and American Legion. His reputation as a "work-aholic" and a "tinkerer" was well-earned, as he could often be found in his shop, working on vehicles, or at the cabin he built on Big Stone Lake near Ortonville. Dave's ingenuity and handiness were matched only by his kindness and intelligence.
Alongside his beloved wife, Jan, Dave opened his heart and home to many foster children, enriching their lives with experiences such as water skiing, camping, and traveling. He was a pillar of strength and support, not only to his family but also to the many lives he touched through his generosity.
In their later years, Dave and Jan enjoyed the warmth of Yuma, AZ, as snow-birds, where they continued to create memories and cherish the company of friends and family. David's life was one of purpose, service, and profound impact. He will be remembered as a man who could always be counted on to lend a helping hand, offer a kind word, and solve the most challenging of problems. His intelligence, handiness, and kind-hearted nature will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. David died Friday, February 9, 2024 at the Glenwood Retirement Village in Glenwood.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janet Elaine Nelson of Glenwood; son, Daniel (fiancé Gladys) Nelson of Fargo, ND; daughter, Lucy (Mike Griffin) Brown of Wahpeton, ND; his grandchildren, Amanda Nelson, Rick Lopez, Bill (Kris) Brown, Mike (Katelyn) Brown, and Ken Brown; and his great-grandchildren, Eli, Owen, Sam, Luke, Christian, and Kendrick. special people in their lives who became their children, Pam Welsch, Greg Roob and Dean Dahl He is also survived by his brother, Harold J. (Aggie) Nelson of Clinton, and his son-in-law, Mauricio (Bertie) Lopez.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Bennie and Anna Nelson; his siblings, Stella Jacobson, Ted Nelson, Arlen Nelson, and Donald Nelson; and his daughter, Lori Lopez in 2012.
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