Henry “Hank” Nelson

Henry “Hank” E. Nelson, 78, of Hawley, MN, died November 8, 2013, in Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND.
Henry was born June 28, 1935, in Pelican Rapids, MN, and the first born, to Edwin and Violet Gunderson Nelson. He grew up in Rollag, MN, where he attended country school, later moving into Hawley where he graduated from Hawley High School. Following high school he joined the National Guard and served our country. One of the major roles he served in was being on a crew that helped revived Fargo after the 1957 tornado. Henry was a member of Rollag Lutheran Church where he was confirmed. Henry married Kathy Malakowsky on September 18, 1971. He worked for Burns Motors, Don Stone’s Motor and the DeForrest Iverson Farm.
Hank enjoyed being a jokester and laughter. Henry always smiled the most when doing his favorite things: spending time with family and friends, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, bowling and watching sports. Most of all, Hank was the best mechanic out there! He could tell you what to do or what needed replacing by listening to the sound your vehicle made, or by having you explain what troubles you may be having over the phone and it would be “spot on”. It never mattered what time of day or night; he was always there to help his family and friends.
Hank was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, one brother, a brother-in-law, and a niece.
He is survived by his wife Katherine of Hawley, MN; two sons, Trevor Nelson of Fargo, ND, and Jeffrey Annette Nelson of Hawley, MN; two grandchildren, Hailey and Vaida Nelson of Hawley, MN; three brothers, Arvid Nelson of Lake Park, MN, Marlyn Nelson of Hawley, MN, and Eugene Faye Nelson of Hawley, MN; one sister, Janice Vigesaa of Hawley, MN.

Memorial Gathering: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Memorial Service: Saturday, November 16, 2013, 10:00 a.m., Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, MN.