Ralph Nelson, 71

Ralph came to us on October 13, 1951, and passed on June 11, 2023; because of who he was, he is making friends with the Angels by now.

He was born to Manville and Harriet Nelson at the International Falls Memorial Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joy; his children, Christopher, Catherine, and Calvin (Kyla, grandson, Connor of the US Navy, and granddaughter, Blair Joy); sisters, Doris Smith (Daniel), Karen Turban (Bruce); brother, Leland (Linda); and uncle Ed and aunt Shirley.

He attended the Border Grade School and graduated from Indus High School in May of 1969.

He was joined in matrimony to Joy Marie Borgen on November 11, 1970, at the Baudette Congregational Church.

He proudly served during the Vietnam era stationed in Washington D.C. from January of 1971 until January 1974, where he chauffeured Chief Pentagon Staff, including Generals, and Admirals, most notably General Westmoreland.

Ralph leaves many memories and remembrances with numerous neighbors, nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many many friends, and was happiest surrounded by those family and friends, swapping stories and tales of nature.

Nearly everyone has known a select few that, when they passed, have felt that they have never known anyone else like them; that was who Ralph Douglas Nelson was. Indeed, there was no one else like him! He was the guy that harvested the timber, sawed, planed it, and, working with recycled material, built his spacious home and large garage. He was foremost a friend and a carpenter, always willing to help a neighbor. There was little left to the imagination that he didn’t master. He was the nephew that lobbied to change the County Park in Birchdale to Nelson Park on behalf of his uncles and family. He was the guy who mentored the young. He was the guy who, in one season, caught enough fox to pay the entire cost of the sheetrock for his new family home. He was the guy who caught both a white beaver and a white fisher. He was the guy who could literally run down a Whitetail deer. He was the guy that you wanted with you if you were ever on a deserted island and needed to survive. He was the trapper that drove a Ford Pinto that had one door that wouldn’t open and had the odor of a mean polecat. He was the guy that built his own pontoon boat with overnight amenities. He was the guy that could turn a rough fish into a smoked delight. He was the guy who paddled the West Fork of the Black River. He was the guy who was adopted by Mother Nature and knew her ways. He was the guy who brought a smile to you just seeing him. Lastly, he was in the Entertainment Business, which is occasionally hard on a guy. Yeah, there is no one else like him, indeed, he will be missed.

Ralph and Joy became a third-generation proprietors at Nelson’s Fine Store in Birchdale, a facility that he remodeled and customized. He was the butcher that was known for his meat selections; his was the store that had your car parts, plumbing, and electrical needs and the arcane item you couldn’t find anywhere else. Even after health challenges that would have completely disabled the rest of us, he was always willing to debate that he was the luckiest young man around and had more fun than anyone you know.

Ralph was preceded in meeting The Angels by his parents and brothers, infant Lawrence Lee and George Edmund (Becky).

A Celebration of Ralph’s Life was held at the Birchdale Congregational Church on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. followed by Ralph Fellowship at Nelson Park.

Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com

Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.