David (Dave) Paul Nelson, 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2020, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Dave was born January 6, 1948, in Fargo to Lloyd and Bess (Holen) Nelson. Dave grew up in Lisbon, ND, and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1966. He received a certificate in Professional Spray Painting from Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo in 1967. Following his training, Dave moved to Minneapolis where he worked as a Computer Component Spray Painter at Excel Metal Finishing. He married his high school sweetheart, LaVerne Jo Lemieux, in September of 1968. In 1971, Dave and LaVerne purchased farmland in Aliceton Township, ND, moved from Minneapolis to Lisbon, ND, and began farming alongside Dave’s father. With his supportive and caring wife, Dave ran a successful farm for nearly 36 years while also raising a beautiful family. Dave and LaVerne retired and sold their family farm in 2006. Following their dream, they moved to their lake home on Tamarac Lake near Pelican Rapids, MN.

Dave had great love for his friends and family. He believed that his most precious gifts in life were his wife, children, grandchildren, and his beautiful dog, Maggie. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne, daughters, Christina Nelson and Sarah (Samuel) Lockner of Minneapolis, son, Kristian (Jennifer) Nelson of Fargo; five grandchildren, Makenna Lee Larson, Kaden Shawn Larson, Henry Aris Lockner, Sylvia Josephine Lockner and Maxwell David Lockner; mother, Leona Bess Nelson; sister, Pamela (William) Olson; and many nieces and nephews. 

Dave was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Jo Nelson, his father, Lloyd Paul Nelson, and his sister, Christine Anne Nelson. 

Memorial services will not be conducted due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns. A celebration of Dave’s life will be held when times are safe for public gatherings.

Online condolences can be left at https://www.gatheringus.com/memorial/david-paul-nelson/3865. Mailed condolences can be sent to 19703 State Highway 34, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572.

Dave will be remembered for his never-ending smile, his stunning blue eyes, and most importantly, his kind and loving heart. As Robert Frost has shared so eloquently through his powerful poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.”

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold, 

Her hardest hue to hold. 

Her early leaf's a flower; 

But only so an hour. 

Then leaf subsides to leaf. 

So Eden sank to grief, 

So dawn goes down to day. 

Nothing gold can stay.