Casper R. Nelson

Casper R. Nelson, the son of Andrew and Clara (Larson) Nelson, was born December 28, 1927, in Fargo. He received his education in the Felton area and in Moorhead, MN, where he graduated from high school in 1945. Cap served his church in many capacities and served on the Eventide Lutheran Home Board of Directors for eight years.


Cappy was dedicated to farming in the Red River Valley throughout his life. While
growing up he worked on his father's farm in the Felton area. Marrying Betty Pake in 1947, they eventually bought the Nelson homestead and farmed sugar beets, oats, barley and wheat until retirement in 1984. In 35 years, Cap also acquired a significant number of animals: pigs, chickens, horses, cows, dogs, cats and tolerated those brought home by his children, especially Dave's pigeons.


As a young man, Cappy played the trombone and with a few like minded musician
friends, formed a swing band. They played at the Legion Hall Youth Center in Moorhead. At his son David's wedding, Cappy and Betty displayed their skill in dancing to the very same music he played in the swing band. Neither his daughter Ginny or David were aware of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in their parents!


Pies, pies and more pies and then there were peanut cakes. Cappy was an excellent baker. This was an artful skill he also acquired as a young man and perfected throughout his life and retirement. There was never a pie without a home. He delivered pies out of the goodness of his heart to friends, family, businesses, nursing homes…anyone who he knew needed to have the ministry of a pie.

At the Clay County Fair, he entered his peanut cakes in a baking competition. He enjoyed telling the story of how he found just the right peanuts and made several batches to produce the perfect peanut cake. Off to the fair went the peanut cake and he would say (with a twinkle in his eye)…he was awarded reserve and was beaten out by a cream puff.


And if this did not take enough of his time, he planted and harvested thousands of gladiola. Again, these large, beautiful blooms found homes each week at hospitals, nursing homes, North Buffalo Lutheran Church and many people whose day needed to be brightened.


Cappy was a farmer - his identity was tied to the land. He worked hard, he worked faithfully and took pride in what he produced. And, in those years when the weather didn't cooperate and/or the prices for grain or beets were low, he never gave up. You mig
Cap was not one to mention his accomplishments. He was a person of great integrity who found satisfaction and comfort in his family, his work and his faith.


Cap died on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at MeritCare, South University Drive, Fargo, at the age of 77. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Clarice Sprague; a brother, Edmond Nelson, and a great-grandson, Taylor Anduss.

Cap is survived by
A visitation will be held on Sunday, 4 PM to 7 PM in
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead
with a prayer service at 7 PM.


The Funeral service will be on Monday, August 1, 2005, at 2:30 PM at
North Buffalo Lutheran Church,
rural Kragnes, Minnesota with burial to follow at
North Buffalo Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kragnes.