Joel Nelson, age 95 of Bottineau, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 8, 2024 his home in Bottineau.  His funeral will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Burial will be at the Lesje Lutheran Cemetery near Souris.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Bottineau County Veterans and the Lesje Lutheran Cemetery.

Joel Nelson, a son of Joseph and Esther (Otteson) Nelson was born on July 28, 1928 on the family farm near Roth, ND.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Lesje Lutheran Church.  He attended country school and farmed with his father until 1952.  On January 11, 1952, he entered the US Army and was stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War. He received his Honorable Discharge on December 23, 1953 and returned to Roth.  On October 24, 1954, he married Karen Gravseth at the Lesje Lutheran Church.  They were blessed with 3 children, Diane, Marc and Steven.  In 1959, they moved into Bottineau and joined First Lutheran Church.   He began working for Koland Construction pouring concrete and putting up metal buildings.  In 1976, he started his own construction business and returned to helping his father-in-law farm.

He was a keeper of the land; he farmed and was proud of his garden and flowers.  He would do anything for anyone, and was a jack-of-all trades.  He built his own house and helped his kids with theirs.  He looked forward to seeing his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Anyone visiting was welcomed with coffee and treats.  He was well known his art of lefse making, alongside his loving wife, Karen of 69 years.  They were a team in the kitchen.

He is survived his wife of 69 years, Karen of Bottineau: daughter, Diane (Brian) Cote of Fargo; sons: Marc (Deb) Nelson and Steve (Donna) Nelson all of Bottineau; grandchildren: Angie (Mike) Bakken of Alexandria, MN, Jason (Melonie) Cote of Minneapolis, Travis (Jenna) Nelson of Bottineau, Christin (Travis) Berger of Rothsay, MN, Evan Nelson of Bottineau and Adam Nelson of Bottineau: great-grandchildren, Iziah, Grace and Levi Bakken, Ingrid and Lewis Cote, Sienna, Hailey, Kynlie and Braxtyn Nelson and Paitynn, Wyatt and Whitley Berger; sister-in-law, Glenda Nelson of Nampa, ID and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by his brothers, Oscar, Laverne and Marlyn and his sister, Doris Christenson.