Clifford J. Nelson, 84, Fargo, ND and formerly of Alsen, ND, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Fargo.
Clifford Jerome Nelson was born Nov. 17, 1938, in Devils Lake, ND, the son of Joel and Clara (Jorstad) Nelson. He primarily grew up in the Alsen and Egeland, ND area. He graduated from Egeland High School in 1956, then attended North Dakota State University.
Clifford married Clara Mae Carlson on Sept. 21, 1958, in Cando, ND. They lived in Starkweather, ND, and Cando before moving to Pendleton, OR where he worked in insurance sales. They later returned to North Dakota and lived in Tioga before making their home in Alsen. Clifford was a farmer until 1987. He then switched his attention to founding and operating Nelson Sales, a company that rebuilt and sold ditching scrapers to farmers and construction companies nationwide. He loved the business and continued for as many years as his health allowed.
In his younger years, Cliff enjoyed gymnastics, bowling, and basketball. He loved to make people smile and always greeted everyone with a firm handshake and a joke or two. He was a really special Husband, Dad and Grandpa. His family was the pride and joy of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Clara Mae Nelson, Fargo, ND; children, Bruce (Donna) Nelson, Harwood, ND, Debra (Dave) Glatt, Bismarck, ND; Lori (Nathan) Beck, Munich, ND, Marcia (Dale) Kaasa, Shoreview, MN, Julie (Mark) Amundson, Grand Forks, ND, Jennifer (Jeff) Hansen, Bismarck, ND, and Michael (Jessica) Nelson, Barnesville, MN; grandchildren, Ashley (Craig) Solie, Kelsey (Casey) Hennessy, Rachel Glatt, Mikayla (Michael) Knodel, David (Ashley Eide) Glatt, Jessica (Wes) Solway, Karla (Jay) Servaty, Jonathan (Erin) Beck, Christopher (Samantha) Beck, Jamie Kaasa, Max (Emily Neilson) Kaasa, Seth Kaasa, Matthew Amundson, Alyssa Amundson, Joshua Amundson, Tanner Hansen, Abigail Hansen, Elizabeth Hansen, Ashton Hoeft, Lexi Hoeft, Parker Nelson, and Clara Nelson; great grandchildren, Peyton, Mackenzie, and Oliver Solie; Andrew, Emmerich, Brielle and Soren Solway; Addison, Brooklyn, and Braxton Servaty; Sophia, Annie, Ella, and Calloway Beck; Lexi Olsen, Avery, Bronson, and Bexlee Beck.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; and by sisters, Merle (Lloyd) Strand, and Shirley (Martin) Penner.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 613 16th St. S., Fargo, ND. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service in the church. Burial will be in the I.O.O. F. Cemetery, Cando, ND in the late spring.
