Richard L. Nelson

Richard L. Nelson

Richard Lesley Nelson passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as a result of a farm accident. Richard lived an active life with always someplace to go and something new to do!

Richard (Dick) was born on October 21, 1947, to Donald and Teresa (Rippo) Nelson in Fargo, ND. He grew up on a farm near Christine, ND, with his siblings Lucia, Pamela and Brent. He attended grade school in Christine and graduated from Eagle High School at Abercrombie in 1965. Dick then attended North Dakota State University and graduated in 1969 with a degree in zoology.

Having completed the ROTC program while in college, Dick served in the US Air Force from 1969 to 1972. After completing his military service, he worked as the Safety Officer at the State Mill and Elevator in Grand Forks and later as a Housing Officer as a civilian at the Grand Forks AFB. In 1980, he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota and opened a private law practice in Grand Forks. He served as bankruptcy trustee for several years until he was appointed as a Hearing Officer in the newly–established National Appeals Division of the US Department of Agriculture. He enjoyed his work as a Hearing Officer since it required working directly with farmers and traveling to their locations across the US. After retiring from the USDA, he served as a part–time Veterans Service Officer for Walsh County in Grafton, ND.

Dick married his high school sweetheart, Diane Gunness, on March 29, 1969, in Abercrombie, ND. In the first years of marriage, they made their home wherever the USAF sent them; finally, making their permanent home in Grand Forks, ND, with years 1974 to 1985 living on a farm near Reynolds, ND. Their family was made complete with two sons, Matthew and John. In 1983, Dick and Diane purchased lake property on Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County, MN. In 2004, they built a year–round home on the lake property where they now reside. From 2011 to 2021, they enjoyed a winter home in Queen Creek, AZ.

Dick was a man of many interests and talents. He enjoyed solving the world's problems with his morning coffee groups. Dick was a farm animal lover and throughout most of his adult life raised horses, cattle, sheep, chickens and some hogs. He was also a collector, mainly of tractors and guns, but was open to just about anything if it was old and a "good deal". In addition, he was always ready to take a road trip, anywhere, anytime! He and Diane made multiple trips to Tennessee, California, and Arizona.

Dick also cared about his community, and in 1998, he established the Crimson Creek Players in Grand Forks, providing post–high school students the opportunity to perform in high–level musical productions. During nine seasons, this theater group presented many top–flight sold–out shows. Recently, Dick has promoted the concept of local theater in Pelican Rapids, MN, by establishing the Falling Creek Players, giving young children the opportunity to perform on stage. A recent fund raiser for the Falling Creek Players was the Everly Brother Experience which drew an audience of over 300 on an August Friday night in lakes country!

Dick loved his family deeply, and they loved him in return. They will remember his unique sense of humor, his ability to turn ordinary moments into adventures, and the many ways he made family life special. He never missed performances proudly cheering them on, and delighted the grandchildren with his leprechaun and "scary" stories on road trips. Dick taught each grandchild to drive on dirt backroads and was always ready to take them to the farm to feed chickens. He showed his love through food and tradition, cooking from scratch, including his famous spaghetti and meatballs, and lefse. These treasured moments of laughter, food, and time together are what his family will hold closest to their hearts.

Dick is survived by his loving family: wife Diane; son Matthew (Sarah), children Liam, Madelynn, and Charlie, Rogers, MN; son John (Jill), daughters Miabella and Juliet, Grand Forks, ND; sister Cia (Mel) Nelson, West Fargo, ND; sister Pam (Gerry) Hall, Tyler, TX; brother Brent (Laurel) Nelson, Fergus Falls, MN; cousin Kirk (Julie) Brungard, Battle Lake, MN; many nieces and nephews; and many cousins in Italy. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Linda; his grandparents; two dear aunts Lucille Nelson and Helen Brungard; and two sisters–in–law Joan Ahonen and Lesley Gunness.

The service to celebrate this good man is Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 3pm, with visitation one hour before, at the Eagle Valley Evangelical Free Church, 17515 Co Rd 2, Christine, ND 58015, with food and fellowship following. Dick's final resting place will be at Eagle Cemetery, Christine, ND.