Dale William Nelson

Dale William Nelson was born on January 14th, 1936, to Ida Sorteberg and Alfred W. Nelson in Roseau, MN. He passed away on March 20, 2025, at the age of 89 at the Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids, MN surrounded by family. He always said that his life was like a flower: it grows,
matures, thrives, and eventually returns to the earth.

Dale was raised on a farm in Roseau. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Helen Johnson Nelson on October 27, 1954, in Roseau, MN. Together, they raised a family through love and hard work.

Dale was a veteran of the US Army having served in Austria, France, and Germany for four years. Upon his return, he was employed by JCPenney Company as a shoe salesman in Bemidji, MN. He was soon promoted to Store Manager. From his humble beginnings as a salesman, he went on to manage stores in Appleton, MN, Crookston, MN, Marinette, WI, Virginia, MN and Hibbing, MN. His final store was a four-story, brick &mortar department store in Sioux City, IA. During his time as manager, Dale received “The National President’s Cup” representing him as the number one manager in the entire company. He was also presented the “Outstanding Community Leader Award” from then Senator Harkin IA for his philanthropic work. Also, Governor Branstad, IA presented him with an award for “Outstanding Volunteerism to the State of Iowa.” He received numerous other awards during his thirty-one-year career with JCPenney’s. Barb and Dale were immensely proud of what they had accomplished together. They were especially proud of their five children and Dale never hesitated to share their accomplishments with others. He also loved the outdoors and passed that love on to his children.

Dale is preceded in death by his wife Barb and siblings Avis, Marlys, and Marion.

He is survived by siblings Mylan and Alfred (Udell) Nelson; children Cindy (Ryam) Brantl of Grand Forks, ND, Kim (Brenda) Nelson of Sioux City, IA, Mark (Michelle) Nelson of Bemidji, MN, Gary (Marie) Nelson of Marshall, MN and Jay (Misty) Nelson of Bemidji, MN. He was also the proud grandpa and great-grandpa of numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside memorial service at Hope Cemetery for Dale in Roseau, MN on Friday, May 2nd at 2:30pm.

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