ROBERT B. "BOB" NELSON

Robert B. "Bob" Nelson , 85 of Devils Lake ND passed away Friday October 30,2015 at Altru Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Wednesday November 4 from 4-7 with a prayer service and time of remembrance at 7 pm. His funeral will be Thursday November 5 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church at 11 am with Pastor Paul Balaban officiating. Lunch and fellowship will follow the funeral service. Bob's cremains will be interred beside his wife Deloris in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Casket Bearers will be his four grandsons Travis, Matthew, Bill and Steven. Honorary Bearers are Bob's three sisters. Robert Baxter Nelson was born January 16, 1930 at the family home in Carthage, South Dakota to Wayne and Faye (Strickler) Nelson. Bob graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1948. He attended two years of college at Brookings State College, Brookings SD. In high school Bob was an excellent baseball player and went on to play second base and pitcher for a regional baseball team and even pitched against his future brothers in law. While earning money as a baseball player, Bob bought a 1951 Chevrolet convertible which came in handy when he was courting the love of his life Deloris Moschell whom he met at a Christmas dance. They were married in Howard, SD December 9, 1951 and began 64 wonderful years together. To this union they became the loving parents of Kathy and Michael and grandparents to four grandsons and 3 great grandchildren. Bob began his long work career while working at his Dad's grain elevator in Esmond SD. He went on to become a sales manager for Farmland Industries for 35 years and retired in 1994. Bob traveled extensively for his job throughout the Midwest but was always home on the weekends in time to enjoy his and Deloris' lake homes in Springfield and Madison SD and Devils Lake ND. Family was his life so the weekends at the lake were his priority. He was a championship trick water skier and avid boating and sailing enthusiast. While at the lake he could never just sit still and spent many hours motor boating, sailing, fishing and always teaching some family member or friend how to water ski. Bob had the distinction of waterskiing at the age of 70. Even waterskiing behind the family sailboat--no need for a motor!! Those family times were so special to Bob and he left us to carry on his lake traditions. Family time was his life and he filled it to the brim with attending his childrens’ and grandchildrens’ activities, watching Twins baseball and UND Hockey with Deloris. He was known to comment quite vehemently on the Twins......... so much that Deloris was always heard to say "Behave Bob!" Music was also very special to Bob and he enjoyed being a part of many choirs including The Lexington Nebraska Barbershop Chorus, St. Olaf Choir, The GOSPALS and The Silver Sensations. He and his sisters and his Mom playing the piano would often be the musical entertainment at family gatherings. During his retirement Bob became known as "The Train Man". He collected and repaired Lionel Brand Toy Trains. He actively bought and sold toy trains and had set up many trainsets for his family and friends. When Deloris began her antique stores he was always at her side as her auction helper while they attended numerous antique auction sales throughout the Midwest. Bob enjoyed his membership of over 40 years with the Elks Lodge where he and his wife would dance the night away. The Devils Lake Senior Center had a special place in his life where he would serve on the executive board as President. He enjoyed making divinity and lefse for the senior center sweet shop. The enjoyment of being with the crew at the Senior Center was never out of his mind----even during the week of his passing he was planning on making his famous divinity. Loving family members left to mourn his passing are: daughter Kathy Thomason ,Devils Lake, son Mike Nelson and his wife Gabriele, Devils Lake, four beloved Grandsons: Steven Thomason, Redmond WA, Bill Thomason and wife Rachel, Bismarck ND, Matthew Nelson and wife Autumn, Grand Forks ND and Travis Nelson and fiance' Amber, Grand Forks ND, three beloved Great Grandchildren: Henry and Simon Thomason and Aubrey Nelson. Siblings LaVonne Garry, Rochester MN and Vera Warnke, Huron SD. Brothers and Sisters in law: Elda and Raman Briggs, Billy Moschell, Myrna and Howard Moore, Richard and Bonnie Moschell, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob is preceded in death by his wife Deloris on February 19, 2015, his parents, sister Maxine Lindstrom, sisters in law-Ardath, Dolores and Karen and brothers in law Glenn, Leo, Blair, Alan and Harold.