Lancelof Nolan Nelson

Lancelof “Lance” Nelson, 92, of Comstock, MN passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at SMP Health St. Catherine’s South, Fargo, ND.

Lance was born on September 15, 1932, to Henry and Adele (Riedel) Nelson in Wilkin County, MN. He grew up on the family farm, attended country schools through grade school, and then attended high school in Comstock. Lance enjoyed many activities when he was younger, trapping along the Red River, hunting and fishing with friends over the years. He served in the Air Force National Guard from 1956-1960. He was sent to San Antonio, Texas for basic training with his best friend and cousin, Dean Nelson.

He was united in marriage to Marilyn Olson on November 24, 1956, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Glyndon, MN. Lance and Marilyn were lifelong residents of Comstock, where they farmed until their retirement. He was a lifetime member at Comstock Lutheran Church, had an active life with many friends and couples in the community. Lance was a good steward of the land. He practiced conservation methods, left crops at the headlands of the fields for the wildlife and cherished the environment and admired the straight crop rows. Lance had a mechanical aptitude and could usually figure out how to get things up and running again. Lance had a good sense of humor, had a great and hearty laugh and laughed until tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. He loved to tease to get a reaction especially from his wife and daughter. He gave the best hugs or “squeezes” a term he used fondly. Lance had an extensive hat collection. He selected his attire based on which hat he was going to wear. While traveling and shopping, he made a beeline to the hat selection and usually came home with a few new hats.

In February 2023, Marilyn entered St.Catherine’s Care Center in Fargo. Lance visited her almost daily until he decided to move to St. Catherine’s in November 2024. They were together until Marilyn passed away on January 27, 2025. They are now reunited in heaven.

Lance is survived by his children, Mark (Jenny) Nelson, Aitkin, MN, and Julie (Rick Yancik) Nelson, Evergreen, CO; grandson, Logan (Janice) Nelson, Duluth, MN; sister, Kathleen Shellito; and many other loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn; parents, Henry and Adele; and siblings, Duane, Janice, Marlene, Greta, Brian, and Gary.

Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., followed by the memorial service at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available on Lance’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found. Final resting place will be at Comstock Cemetery, Comstock, MN, following the services in Moorhead.