Harland Adolph Nelson

Obituary

Harland Adolph Nelson passed away Wednesday morning, January 31, 2018 in his home with family at his side. He was born on May 21, 1928 to Hans C. and Julie E. (Olson) Nelson in Duluth.
Harland attended Duluth Public Schools, graduating from Central High School in 1946. While in high school he became interested in flying, and took flying lessons out of the Superior Airport, earning a pilot's license in June of 1946. Between 1945 and 1949 he logged numerous flights over the area at a time when there was no radio contact between the plane and the ground. Harland was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and was active there for many years, teaching Sunday School and serving on various boards. For the past 25 years he has been a member of St. John's Free Lutheran Church.
After a year working at Marshall Wells, Harland attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis earning degrees in Business Administration and Sociology. After graduating from Augsburg, he spent 2 years in the U.S. Army, 15 months of which were spent in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. His assignment was as a mail clerk in the APO.
Following his discharge, Harland returned to Duluth and worked several years as a clerk for Standard Oil Company.
In June of 1955 he married Arlene Larson in Wadena, Minnesota. They had met as students at Augsburg and celebrated their 62nd anniversary in 2017.
In 1959 Harland began working for the city of Duluth as Storekeeper at the Water and Gas Warehouse, a job he held until his retirement in 1986.
Harland enjoyed traveling, especially to Scandinavian, where he and Arlene found relatives of his in Norway and Denmark, and of hers in Sweden. They also enjoyed trips to Switzerland and in the U.S. - going to Florida in the winter with a bus group.
Harland is survived by his wife, Arlene; his son, Tim (Elise) of Moorhead, MN; and his daughter, Nancy Nelson; 2 grandchildren, Ana and Isaac of Moorhead; sister, Juellie Wennberg Reinke (William Braun) and her children and their families; several special cousins; sister-in-law, Joan Larson; a brother-in-law; Carroll Thureen; and Arlene's nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 10am to 12pm at St. John's Free Lutheran Church, 3601 W Arrowhead Rd, Duluth, MN, with a Memorial Service to follow at 12pm.
The family is especially grateful to St. Luke's Hospice and to Home Instead Senior Care for their loving care during his final weeks.

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Visitation

FEB 10. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CST)

St. John's Free Lutheran Church
3601 W Arrowhead Rd
Duluth, MN, 55811

Memorial Service

FEB 10. 12:00 PM (CST)

St. John's Free Lutheran Church
3601 W Arrowhead Rd
Duluth, MN, 55811