Larry L. Nelson

Larry Lee Nelson, 79, a Shelby resident of 52 years, passed away on May 28, 2018.  Larry was born in Arnold, Nebraska on October 22, 1938 to Herman and Alice (Albee) Nelson.  He attended school in Arnold until the 10th grade.  His father passed away in 1952 and the family moved to Oshkosh, NE where he graduated from high school in 1956.  Directly after graduation he came to Fairfield, MT to stay with a friend and work for the summer. This is how Montana became his home.  He worked at staking telephone lines around Central Montana and then was employed by Harts Construction.

On December 11, 1961 he entered the Army and was stationed in Fort Carson and Fort Bragg.  In early 1962 he was promoted to Sergeant.  The Army wanted to send him to school to learn to fly helicopters and be a pilot in Vietnam, but he decided not to re-enlist and was discharged on December 11, 1963.  He valued his time in the service and he often said that his time in the Army gave him confidence and taught him leadership.

Larry and Kay Allen were married on October 12, 1965.  Together they had 3 children; LeeAnn(Todd) Nelson, Dennis (Debbie) Berczyk and Rebecca (Norman) Nicholson.

In 1968 he started working for Marias River Electric as a superintendent.  In 1981 he became the general manager until his retirement in 2005.  He then worked as an interim manager for several cooperatives and then truly retired in 2009.  From 1973 to present he served on numerous committees and boards and after his retirement, his focus was on creating and promoting the Montana Veteran’s Memorial Flag.

Larry loved flying planes, fishing, boating, and spending time with family.  His greatest loves were God, Family, Country, Flag, and his home town of Shelby and surrounding areas and the people that live here.

Survivors include wife, Kay Nelson; children, Dennis and Rebecca; five grandchildren, Levi and Skyler Hall, Boone Berczyk, and Danielle and Amanda Nicholson; 2 great grandchildren, Noah Hall and Willow Hamblin; beloved sister, Doris Garrison and nephew, Dwayne. He is preceded in death by his daughter, LeeAnn.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 5, at 2:00 PM at United Methodist Church.  Burial with military honors will then be in Mountain View Cemetery followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Toole County Community Foundation, Montana Veteran’s Memorial Flag or charity of your choice.