Howard Leroy Nelson

Howard Leroy Nelson, 90, of Moorhead, MN, passed away September 15, 2020, at Linden Tree Circle, under care of Ethos Hospice.

Howard was born January 3, 1930, in Valley City, ND, the youngest of 8 children of Norman and Hulda (Spicer) Nelson.  He graduated from Valley City Junior High School and attended Wahpeton State School of Science for a degree in auto mechanics.  He met Delphine Mattheis in Valley City while rollerskating and they were married on July 22, 1951.  After marriage they moved to Alaska where Howard was stationed in the U.S. Army and their first child, Deborah, was born. The family later moved to Ritzville, WA where Howard worked as a mechanic in a Ford garage. Kenneth and Kathleen were born in Ritzville. They would later move to Minnesota when Howard accepted a job at the Ford dealership in Moorhead.  Their fourth child, Sandra, was born here.  Howard worked as a mechanic for the City of Moorhead and retired in 1990.

In his younger years Howard loved to roller skate and Delphine will say he was “born on roller skates”. Howard loved fishing and hunting and made several trips to Alaska and Canada to enjoy the outdoors.  He was a born mechanic and his natural talent was evident as he could fix just about anything.  Howard and Delphine enjoyed spending winters in Arizona for 20 years.  A hard-working man, he always provided for his family and would help anyone in need.

Howard is survived by his wife, Delphine; son, Kenneth (Marcia); daughters, Kathleen Nelson and Sandra Rehder; grandchildren, Kristi Okerlund, Jessica Rehder, Gavin Rehder and Marcus Rehder, and great-grandchildren, Chay Okerlund, Lucy Okerlund and Lydia Kehl.  He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harold Elstrom, Roy Elstrom, Robert Elstrom, Delores Smith, Elliott Nelson, Lyle Nelson and Everett Nelson; and his daughter, Deborah.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation for one hour before the service, at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.  Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.