Arlan Nelson, age 80 of Souris, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at a Bottineau hospital.  His funeral will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Wednesday starting at 4:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Arlan Eugene Nelson, a son of Arthur and Inga "Josie" (Tonneson) Nelson, was born on January 3, 1944 at Bottineau.  His early years were spent on the family farm north of Roth in Scandia Township.  He attended school at Roth and at the Brandjord School.  He Attended services and Sunday School at the Lesje Lutheran Church.  In the fall of 1955, they moved to Bottineau.  He graduated from Bottineau High School in 1963.  He then attended NDSSS at Wahpeton and took a course in general mechanics.  The summer of 1964, he worked at the Stair Brothers farm near Newburg.  During the 1963-64 Christmas break, he met a young lady at an LBYF winter sledding party.  On August 8, 1964, Arlan and Tessie Larson were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Bottineau. They lived on the farm at Roth and had 3 beautiful children.  They farmed for a total of 18 years.  When things were slow in the winter, Arlan worked at some part time jobs.  In the mid 70's he started working at the Souris School as a janitor, boilerman and bus driver.  In 1987, they moved to Westhope and he worked at the Westhope Nursing Home doing custodial work, maintenance and boiler work.  When the nursing home closed, Arlan retired.  In the spring and fall, he worked for the Tonneson Brothers.  He also took some electrician courses by correspondence and received his certificate at the age of 55.  He worked for a short time for R&D Electric.  In 2014, Grace Lutheran Church hired Arlan and Tessie to be the visitation team, which they were still doing at the time of his death.

Arlan was very active in the church.  He was a trustee for 2 years, and worked with Sunday School, Awana, XYZ for senior citizens, served as an elder and served on the church council for 40 years.  Arlan was a very special man.  He could fix almost anything.  He loved Jesus and his family greatly and will be immensely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years; son, Jonas and his wife, Dawn of Minot; daughter Nicole, and her husband Cameron Nicklaus of Pasadena, TX; 6 grandchildren; Alyssa Nelson; Kyle Nelson and his wife, Jessica, Melanie Smith and her husband, Patrick, Thomas Nelson and his girlfriend, Daveigh; Josie Nicklaus and Jakob Nicklaus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother; and daughter, Amy Lee Ann.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.