Curtis L. Nelson

Curtis L. Nelson, 70 of Devils Lake formerly of Manfred ND passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at his home. 

Funeral Services for Curtis will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm officiating.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Interment will take place at a later date. 

Curtis LeRoy Nelson was born at Harvey, ND on May 26, 1951 to Vern and Bernice Nelson of Manfred, ND. He was raised on the family farm north of Manfred. He attended grade school at Manfred and high school at Fessenden.

He farmed with his father until enlisting in 1970 in the United States Marine Corp. He completed his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California then served his country with tours of duty in Japan and Cambodia.  He was honorably discharged in 1973 and returned Manfred and continued farming.

Curtis was united in marriage to Rita Eback on October 15, 1988.  They lived at the farm for a short time then established their home in Devils Lake.  Curtis was a hard-working, dedicated, loyal employee at Lakeview Dairy for many years until the milk cows were sold.  He then worked at Noodles by Leonardo at the Devils Lake plant until their closing, Felix’s Restaurant until it closed. He thought about retirement for a short time, then began employment at the Cedar Inn Restaurant. He was only retired for about a month prior to his passing. 

Free time was at a minimum, but whenever he could he enjoyed camping, fishing and gardening, spending time in the great outdoors.  He was an avid reader and Westerns and Mystery novels were among his favorites.  He treasured family get-togethers, knowing both sides of the family would bring large group of siblings, nieces, nephews and in-laws to any event. 

Curtis served his country with honor, provided and cared for his family with a loving heart.  Curtis will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

Those who survive Curtis are his wife Rita; daughter Brittany Lynn Nelson, Devils Lake; brothers Vernon (Rita) Nelson, Madras, Oregon, Warren (Darlene) Nelson, Snyder, Texas, Robert (Ardy) Nelson, Mesa, Arizona and George Nelson, Chandler, Arizona; sister Pam Norstedt, Harvey ND; mother-in-law Phyllis Eback, Devils Lake; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Debbie (Roger) Lindenberg, Crary, ND, Lynn (Brian) Hoffmeyer, Wayne (Tammy) Eback, Gary (Karen) Eback, Brenda Dick all of Devils Lake, Daniel (Tricia) Eback, Fargo, ND, Michelle Eback also of Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Owen Nelson, father-in-law Anton Eback, sister-in-law Laurie Nelson and brother-in-law Steven Eback.