Nelson L. Stave

Nelson L. Stave, 88 of Devils Lake formerly of Leeds, ND passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the Eventide Heartland Care Center in the loving care of his family and Altru Hospice.

Funeral Services for Nelson will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Leeds Lutheran Church with Reverend Mike Pretzer officiating.  Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 7:30 p.m.  Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Graveside Services and Military Honors will be on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND. 

Nelson Lawrence, son of Lawrence and Olga (Galland) Stave was born on August 12, 1929 on a farm north of Leeds, ND.  He grew up and was educated in Leeds, graduating from Leeds High School with the class of 1948.  He continued his education at NDSU, Fargo receiving a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Education.  He was a member of the ROTC in college and graduated as a 2^nd Lieutenant.

Nelson entered active duty with the United States Army on July 4, 1952 and proudly served his country during the Korean War and was the recipient of several commendations including the Bronze Star Medal.  Before leaving for overseas, Nelson married his college sweetheart, Rebecca Calderwood on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1952 at Paso Robles, CA.  Upon his discharge, the family made their home in Leeds where Nelson helped on the family farm.  Shortly after his return to Leeds, he was hired as the Vocational Agricultural Instructor at Leeds High School, teaching there for 6 years.  He and Becky also built and operated the Leeds Tastee Freez for many years. 

Nelson continued to serve his country in the North Dakota National Guard for over 30 years with some of those years in Bismarck, ND.  He worked in the ND Civil Defense and also served as the State Director from 1968 until 1973. He was then a group commander with the 164^th Guard Unit in Bismarck until 1979.  His Guard service took him to Camp Grafton, until he retired in 1989 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  In his retirement, Nelson did some crop adjusting and helping on the farm.  In 2009, he and Becky moved back to Leeds. Becky died on March 7, 2013.  At the time of his death, Nelson was living in the Heartland Courts in Devils Lake.

Nelson’s passions were many; farming, his faith and his family.  He was an active member of the Leeds Lutheran Church and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He loved being a “Grandpa” and never missed a chance to watch the grandkids in their many activities including traveling around the country to watch ALL his grandchildren in their many sporting events and activities.  He and Becky enjoyed ice fishing and gardening.  Nelson was a 50 plus year member of the Leeds American Legion Post #101 and engaged in the activities of the community where ever he lived.   

First and foremost, Nelson was a devoted husband, proud dad and loving grandpa. 

His family includes his children Daniel (Candace) Stave, Leeds, Kent (Yvonne) Stave, Sparks, NV, Dawn Stave, Bismarck, ND, Karl (Barb) Stave Milwaukee, WI, Lowell (Lori) Stave, Grand Forks, ND and Lane (Laura) Stave, La Quinta, CA; grandchildren Traci (David) Ripplinger; Richard Stave, Amber (Brandon) Borden; Bryan Stave, Joel Stave, Rachel Stave; Koel (Jennifer) Stave, Leevi (Lyndsay) Stave, Jacob Stave; Tanner Stave, Kyla Stave; great grandchildren Katie, Tommy, Micheal, Tess and Carli Ripplinger; Kyler and Kaylee Borden, Sylus, Sawyer and Royce Stave; Rhett Stave; sisters-in-law Esther Stave and Jeannette Calderwood both of Devils Lake and Monita Scott, Scottsdale, AZ and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rebecca and brothers Terry and David Stave.

Casket Bearers will be Traci Ripplinger, Richard Stave, Amber Borden, Koel Stave, Leevi Stave, Jacob Stave, Joel Stave and Rachel Stave.  Honorary Bearers are Bryan Stave, Tanner Stave and Kyla Stave.  Music will be provided by Lucia Jacobson and Nancy Silliman.