Harold A. Nelson

Harold Albert Nelson was born on January 25, 1927, and was the fourth child born to Albert William Nelson and Elveda Marie (Tell) Nelson, born in the Nelson farmhouse one mile south of North Branch. Harold and all of his siblings were born in the upstairs bedroom of the only house that he ever lived in. Harold died January 12, 2014, just two weeks short of his 87th Birthday.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Elveda, sister Merriam Josephine, and brothers Harley William, Frank Everett and Eldon Curtis. Harold is survived by his brothers Roger (Pat) of North Branch and Delano (Amy) of Hastings; nieces and nephews: Deborah Nelson (Pete Rech) of Anoka, Laurel (Jerry) Van Nyhuis of Farmington, Bruce (Vicky) of Centuria, Wisconsin, Brenda (Vaughn) Spurlock of Washburn, Wisconsin, Jeff of Olympia, Washington, Randy (Shannon) of North Branch, Jana (Larry) Davidson of North Branch, Tami (Jeff) Grams of Brainerd, Raoul (Patricia) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Eric (Janet) of Coon Rapids. Harold is also survived by several cousins, grand nieces and nephews. Harold attended the Budnick Country School (Budnick University). He went on to graduate from North Branch High School in 1944. Harold joined the North Branch High School band during his sophomore year, and played the cornet that was handed down to him from his older brother Harley. Harold passed it on to Roger, who has been tooting his horn ever since.

Harold attended North Branch Methodist Church most of his life and sang in the choir for over 50 years. Harold always loved to sing and formed a barbershop quartet in 1958 known as the “Coinci‑gents”. The quartet competed and entertained at local events for a few years. Harold attended several Barber Shop Harmony Concerts at Bethel Seminary. This was a real a highlight for him. He loved the quartet harmony. Harold lost sight in one eye, early on from a cataract. Harold lost his eyesight completely on July 12, 2009. This was not low vision, or legally blind vision, it was darkness. The only thing Harold could see was an occasional weak flash of light, in the extreme periphery of what used to be his bad eye. Harold could tell if the lights were on and if it was night or day, that’s it. Harold was a farmer, it was his job, his career, it was his livelihood and his passion. Harold was a progressive farmer and was possibly the first local farmes to chop his hay and store it in a concrete stave silo. He worked with the County Agent and professors at the University of Minnesota to figure out how to make this new process work.

Harold was one of the first to have a barn cleaner, a stacking slab system for the manure, silo unloaders, an automatic feeding system, a bulk milk tank with a transfer system for the fresh milk and an irrigation system that could send water to almost every thirsty field on the farm. Harold’s farm, officially established in 1885, received the Chisago County Century Farm Award in 1991. Seems like there was a Massey Ferguson tractor ready and waiting for every farming task. Harold was seriously injured in a 2004 barnyard attack by a mean bull and spent several weeks recovering in Green Acres Nursing Home. This injury left him with a serious limp. It didn’t stop him from getting back to his farming passion soon after he was released. Dairy production on the farm, continued until January 2009 when it shipped its last load of milk. Harold lived his last years, alone in his home, in near total darkness.

He is truly one of the Greatest Generation. Memorial services were Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Main Street Church in North Branch with Rev. Phil Schmidt officiating. Music was provided by Nancy Rampp and the church choir. Visitation was held prior to the service. Family interment will be at a later date. Arrangements were under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home, in North Branch. Condolences maybe left at grandstrandfh.com