Harold Nicholai Nelsen

Harold Nicholai Nelsen passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2004 at Paradise Hospice House at the age of 80. He was born in McMurray, Washington on February 6, 1924 to Christopher Ralph Nelsen and Anna Ragnhilde Rutlin.
Harold was a WWII veteran of the Army Air Corps and retired from Hughes Aircraft Company, where he worked for 20 years as a Purchasing Manager. He was an avid genealogist and extremely proud of his heritage as a first-generation American child of Norwegian parents. That, coupled with his wry sense of humor is best illustrated by the sign proudly posted in the kitchen, which reads, ""It's Easy to tell a Norwegian, but you can't tell him MUCH.""
Hal devoted many years to the LDS Family History Library in Chico and the Paradise Genealogical Society and their library. When he first became involved at the libraries, he quickly became expert in the use of all its various research tools, allowing him to help many others in their search for their own family histories. He was a man of many talents; the family home displays many examples of his work in sculpture, pencil drawings, stained glass and cloisonne.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy, and four adored children and their spouses: Krisanna Nelsen Albrecht and David Albrecht, Jeffrey Nelsen and Lynnae Stoehr, Mark and Laura Nelsen, Eric Nelsen and Brooke Burbank; and five much-loved grandchildren: Kelley, Joey, Teresa, David, and Chasen. He was preceded in death by six brothers, a sister, and one grandchild, Calen Albrecht.
At his request, no formal services are planned; contributions in his memory may be made to the Paradise Hospice House or the Paradise Genealogical Society.
An informal gathering will be held at the Nelsen family home at 7155 Pentz Road, on Saturday, August 28 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Hal's wife and children will welcome all of his friends, many of whom he met while working at the Genealogical Libraries and while walking with his Aussie, Scamper, on the Memorial Trail.