Raymond C. Nelsen, 104
Ray Nelsen died on Aug. 4, 2009, at the Jensen Cottage on the campus of St. John's Ministries, at the age of 104. Ray's long and full life began in Wahoo, Neb., Feb. 7, 1905. He was born to Louis and Anna (Wistrom) Nelsen.
Ray's father died when he was 5 years old. It was difficult for his mother to care for him and also earn a living. This resulted in Ray spending most of his early years living with the family that operated the Volunteers of America in Omaha, Neb.
Around the age of 11, Ray took advantage of an opportunity to move to Mankato, Minn., and live with the family of his uncle, J.B. Nelsen, a large construction contractor. The years growing up in Mankato were good for Ray and he had many stories of those times. Living with his uncle provided Ray the opportunity to become an apprentice brick mason at the age of 16. He became a journeyman brick mason before the age of 20, and was a contractor in the 1920s prior to the Depression.
The Depression set in during the late 1920s with the early stages finding work progressively more difficult. The situation became even more bleak in the 1930s. Due to those conditions, Ray traveled to Montana to seek employment. He found work somewhat more favorable in Montana and returned to Mankato in June of 1934 to pick up his belongings and report to Eileen Kraut (girlfriend) that he was moving to Montana. Eileen said "Me too" and immediately arranged with a minister for a wedding. The very day after the wedding Ray and Eileen were on their way to Glasgow.
Ray continued to work as a brick mason/contractor through 1967. They moved many times in those years and resided in the various communities of Glasgow, Conrad, Missoula, Kalispell, Lakeside and Havre. While living in Montana, Ray and Eileen raised three children.
High quality masonry construction was always associated with Ray Nelsen and many buildings are the result of his efforts. His largest project was the construction of the Anaconda Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls where he served as the masonry superintendent.
Ray was required to end his brick mason career in 1967 due to eyesight problems. At that time Ray and Eileen made a major career change and moved to Seattle to become the managers of the Blue Ridge Community Club. They oversaw the operation of that facility for over 10 years and retired to the Blue Ridge area for a few additional years. They developed many friendships with people of all ages in the Blue Ridge Community. Those were cherished times.
Montana was always home for the Nelsens. Therefore, they decided to return to their favorite Montana location of Kalispell in 1985. They lived their retirement years through 2005, with Ray reaching the age of 100 while at Kalispell. They resumed their membership in Bethlehem Lutheran Church during that time, a membership that had begun in the 1940s.
Health issues resulted in a move from Kalispell to Billings to be closer to their son. They lived at Vista (St. John's' for two years before moving to Jensen Cottage in December of 2007. Eileen preceded Ray in death in 2008.
Ray lived a frugal and simple lifestyle. He cared first and foremost for family and friends. He treated his own needs and wishes always as secondary.
The family thanks the Vista and Jensen Cottage staffs for the loving care Ray received in his last few years.
All three children survive Ray; Ray Jr., and Beth of Coos Bay, Ore., Margaret of Wasilla, Alaska, and Dan and Margie of Billings. Ray also leaves nine grandchildren, Mary and Mark Manners, Gail Taylor, Susan and Tom Updegraff, Brenda and Robert Davila, Jack Runser, Mike and Joanne Nelsen, Ken and Katy Nelsen, Jennifer and Mark Ryan, and Lisa and Tom Kimmet; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.