Gary A. Nelson, 62

Gary A. Nelson, 62, of Whitefish, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, at Four Horn Reservoir near Cut Bank. Gary was born May 2, 1947, at Devils Lake, N.D., to Helmer and Genevieve (Scharf) Nelson and was raised and educated there. He graduated from Devils Lake Community College and Valley City (North Dakota) State University with a degree in education.

He married Carol Rae Andrus in 1970 and they resided in Glacier County, where Gary taught fifth grade in Browning, and sixth, seventh and eighth grades in East Glacier. In 1984, he and his family came to Whitefish where he transitioned to the construction trade, working as an independent contractor.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Gary loved the Montana great outdoors and is survived by countless close friends who will miss hunting and fishing with him very much.

Preceded in death by his parents, Gary is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Sara, Jeremy and Rachel Nelson; brother, Ron, and wife, Debbie; and nieces and nephews, Melissa, Jason, Eric and Cory. He also leaves behind his best four-legged friends Gibber, Bandit, Kirby, Junior, Emma, Tess, Willy and Ernie.

A gathering and service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Ron Platke residence, 410 Hellman Lane, Columbia Falls. The family suggests memorials be made to Pheasants Forever, www.pfstore.org.; Walleyes Unlimited, www.montanawalleyesunlimited.net; or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, www.rmef.org, or 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula 59808.

Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.