Harold Nelson
March 7, 1919 ~ May 27, 2012
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Harold O. Nelson, 93, of Wessington, died Sunday, May 27, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7 at the Good Samaritan Center of Miller.
Harold O. Nelson was born in Dunn County, North Dakota, March 7, 1919 to Martin and Gertrude Dinehart Nelson Severson Liebnow.
When he was very young, around age 6 or 7, his mother, became quite ill and she had to teach him how to cook the meals for the family. He would go upstairs to his mother's room and she would give him instructions and he would run back downstairs to the kitchen. This might have been the reason why he was such a great cook. Harold had many stories that he liked to share. A couple favorites were once when he fell down and broke his leg and he was unable to get on his horse to ride home. Harold remembered how smart this horse was because the horse sensed that he was unable to get up so the horse crouched down as far as he could and let him climb onto its back to get home. Another story was when Harold was in his teens and there was a very dry spell in the summer. While the other men and Harold were working in the fields, a swarm of grasshoppers surrounded them and the grasshoppers were so thirsty that they literally ate holes in their shirts to drink the sweat.
He served in the Army in World War II, and during his service the cook in his troop got very ill and they asked if any of the men knew how to cook, and Harold said he did, and from that time on he was the cook for his troop. He said that he would always remember the day he got out of the Army; it was September 15, 1945.
Later he met Mildred Ione Knapp, in Binford, North Dakota. They were married on November 24, 1949. They moved to Southern California and both found jobs at Lockheed. Rhonda was born on May 25, 1959, at this time they lived in Van Nuys, Ca. Then in 1963 they moved to Westminster, in Orange County, California; just south of Los Angeles County. Harold now worked at AMF Voit until he retired.
On Sunday, December 12, 1982, his wife, Mildred Nelson, passed away.
In the early 1990's Harold decided to move to South Dakota, going back to where he grew up, and where he could be near his sisters and their families, and he remained in Wessington until his health deteriorated and he moved into Good Samaritan Center where he lived until he passed away on Sunday, May 27, 2012.
Harold is survived by a daughter Rhonda Lee (David) Byer; grandson Joshua J. (Stephanie) Byer and great grandson Alex J. Byer all of California; sister Minnie (Richard-deceased) Hein of Wolsey; brothers Doran (Loraine) Nelson of Clifton Park, NY, Roy (Kay) Severson of Mandan, ND; brothers in- law Donald (Jeanne) Knapp, Grand Forks, ND, Roy Clarke of Miller.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, infant son Richard, 6 brothers and 9 sisters.
Harold O. Nelson was born in Dunn County, North Dakota, March 7, 1919 to Martin and Gertrude Dinehart Nelson Severson Liebnow.
When he was very young, around age 6 or 7, his mother, became quite ill and she had to teach him how to cook the meals for the family. He would go upstairs to his mother's room and she would give him instructions and he would run back downstairs to the kitchen. This might have been the reason why he was such a great cook. Harold had many stories that he liked to share. A couple favorites were once when he fell down and broke his leg and he was unable to get on his horse to ride home. Harold remembered how smart this horse was because the horse sensed that he was unable to get up so the horse crouched down as far as he could and let him climb onto its back to get home. Another story was when Harold was in his teens and there was a very dry spell in the summer. While the other men and Harold were working in the fields, a swarm of grasshoppers surrounded them and the grasshoppers were so thirsty that they literally ate holes in their shirts to drink the sweat.
He served in the Army in World War II, and during his service the cook in his troop got very ill and they asked if any of the men knew how to cook, and Harold said he did, and from that time on he was the cook for his troop. He said that he would always remember the day he got out of the Army; it was September 15, 1945.
Later he met Mildred Ione Knapp, in Binford, North Dakota. They were married on November 24, 1949. They moved to Southern California and both found jobs at Lockheed. Rhonda was born on May 25, 1959, at this time they lived in Van Nuys, Ca. Then in 1963 they moved to Westminster, in Orange County, California; just south of Los Angeles County. Harold now worked at AMF Voit until he retired.
On Sunday, December 12, 1982, his wife, Mildred Nelson, passed away.
In the early 1990's Harold decided to move to South Dakota, going back to where he grew up, and where he could be near his sisters and their families, and he remained in Wessington until his health deteriorated and he moved into Good Samaritan Center where he lived until he passed away on Sunday, May 27, 2012.
Harold is survived by a daughter Rhonda Lee (David) Byer; grandson Joshua J. (Stephanie) Byer and great grandson Alex J. Byer all of California; sister Minnie (Richard-deceased) Hein of Wolsey; brothers Doran (Loraine) Nelson of Clifton Park, NY, Roy (Kay) Severson of Mandan, ND; brothers in- law Donald (Jeanne) Knapp, Grand Forks, ND, Roy Clarke of Miller.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, infant son Richard, 6 brothers and 9 sisters.
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Harold Nelson was not my father by blood but he did raise me, with my mother, Mildred Knapp, from the time I was born. Truthfully, the relationship with my father was not the best, but that is all in the past and over now. I called my dad on Saturday, May 19, 2012 (8 days before his death) and he did not talk much since he was very weak, but he did say a few things that let me know he knew it was me. I could tell he was tired, and it was hard for him to hear me, so I ended the call saying I love you dad and he replied saying I love you too and those were the last words spoken to each other and I am greatful for that. I do pray that God welcomes my dad into Heaven, forgiving all his sins, so he may rest in peace. The one thing that I will always remember, and be thankful for, is how great a cook he was. He even taught my mom alot about cooking, so of course, that was passed down to me. My dad made the best darn fried chicken and country gravy (we called it milk gravy) this side of Heaven! Thank you dad, please say hi to mom for me, and your grandson, Joshua, remembers you fondly and will never forget you. The miles make it impossible for me to be at your memorial, but I know Karen has everything under control; you were very lucky to have such a wonderful person to help you for the past several years; which I am sure you knew that too. Please rest in peace dad, with Love from your daughter, Rhonda.
may god grant you permission to enter his holy land and serve with all your loved ones that has passed befor you .I remenber you were allways happy behind the wheel of a car,or cooking in the kitchen I remenber asking you about your long drive to josh and stephanie wedding and you replied it was nothing. you wanted to be there. And all those miles that you drove i was amazed about that. Well now you well be with all your loved ones that passed befor you, enjoy your new adventure..rest in peace Harold ..Darline Flanigan
Uncle Harold lived across from me a long Time, until he got sick and was put in the nursing home in Miller..
I always tried to watch for his lights..Harold loved to Drive fast,A shot of wiskey, no ice,a good partner to swing around the floor,and cook…What ever was in the fridge he always came up with something to Eat..He read the daily paper and always looking for a good bargain to buy in the grocery store.. Harold was a very proud veteran..I pray that by god’s grace he is now at Peace..
your niece vernetta
THANK YOU, DARLINE AND VERNETTA FOR SIGNING THE GUESTBOOK. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, AND I AM SURE MY FATHER APPRECIATES IT TOO. EVERYTIME I SEE A WHITE BUTTERFLY I FEEL LIKE IT’S A SPIRIT OF A LOVED ONE WHO HAS PASSED. AND AS OFTEN IT DOES, I SEEN ONE THE AFTERNOON MY DAD PASSED AND WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT HIM THE OTHER DAY, ONE FLUTTERED PAST ME.