Ardean Nelson

Ardean E. Nelson, 83, of Sharon, ND passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon, ND. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Bilden Funeral Home, Northwood, ND. Burial in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the North Dakota Veterans Foundation in Mandan or the Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon, ND.
Ardean was born April 5, 1929, in Northwood, ND to Adolph and Mayme (Froslie) Nelson of Sharon, ND. He attended Sharon Public School and received an honorary diploma from Finley-Sharon High School through Veterans Affairs. He also was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sharon. Ardean served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, serving time in Germany.
On August 6, 1953, he married Kathryn Kloster. They lived in Devils Lake during the school year while Kathryn was teaching. In Devils Lake, he worked at the Great Northern Railroad round house. It was there he developed his love for trains and steam engines. In 1961, they decided to farm full time until their retirement in 1994. He enjoyed working in the field and especially at harvest time. Starting in 1995, he and Kathryn became "Winter Texans" living in Alamo, TX. There he enjoyed visiting with retired farmers and "talking farming." He continued his love of farming by helping out in the fields around Sharon until he passed away. Ardean and Kathryn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003, with family and friends.
He enjoyed going to the lake for pontoon rides, reading about trains, going to threshing bees, visiting with family and friends, going on cruises with friends from Texas, and attending his grandkids activities.
Serving in the military was something he was very proud of, and was a lifetime member of the Thor Vatsvik Legion Post in Sharon and the V.F.W. Post in Hillsboro. He attended many state Legion conventions and one national Legion convention. Besides being the mayor of Sharon for many years, he served on the church, elevator, and selective service boards. He also served on the Steele County centennial committee.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn of 58 years; children: Paula (Scott) Jacobson, Kindred, ND and Dean (Melissa) Nelson, Wynne, AR; grandchildren: Amanda and Kelby Jacobson, Kindred, and Beth,Katie, Merideann Nelson and step-grandchild Mary, all of Wynne, AR; brothers: LeRoy (Pat) Nelson, Lakota, ND and James (Joanne) Nelson, Fargo, ND; sisters, Annette (Bill) Oxton, Eagen, MN, Carol (Maurice) Reopelle, Ogden, UT, and Donna Smith, Sharon, ND; sister-in-law: Dona Babe Nelson, Phoenix, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Norman and brother-in-law, Gene Smith.