David D. “Pudgee” Nelson, 60 of Devils Lake, ND, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake

The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, with Reverend Trudy Dumont officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

David Dean Nelson was born on March 4, 1964, to Dean and Sandra (Sobak) Nelson at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. David grew up on a farm where he learned his life skills. He also served with the North Dakota Army National Guard.

David worked many jobs and was always able to excel at each one of them. These jobs included Night Supervisor at Noodles by Leonardo in Cando. He was recruited to be Production Manager at Bushel 42 when they started a pasta plant in Crosby, ND, and again at Dakota Growers in Carrington, ND. The Morman’s learned of his special skills and hired him to come to Colorado Springs, Colorado for a start up Pasta Factory. After a short stay in Colorado, David came back home to Devils Lake and managed the Pizza Hut here.

Always restless for new adventures, he tried several jobs until he finally found his true calling. He went into sales and loved it. He loved his customers and they loved him. David loved the traveling and freedom his job at Seneca Direct offered him. Seneca returned his faithfulness with many rewards of appreciation.

“Pudgee” loved life and lived it to the fullest. His friends are too many to name. He so appreciated their support through the hard times and the good times, too. Pudgee loved to laugh and enjoyed being with them.

David is survived by his loving mother and step-father Sandra and Tom Maloney of Devils Lake; brother Daniel (Terri) Nelson and their children Cody and Courtney of Tonopah, Arizona; step-brothers Matthew and Terry Maloney; step sister Kristi Hoey; uncle Edwin Sobak of Devils Lake; aunts Lois Nelson, Grand Forks ND and Susan Everidge of Red Level, Alabama; special friend Shannon Drury, Devils Lake and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his Dad Dean Nelson, son Blake, grandparents Edwin and Dorothy Sobak, Alfred and Louise Nelson.