Ivan E. Nelson

Ivan Eugene Nelson, 77, of Grand Forks, ND died Sunday, June 24, 2012 in Valley 4000 Woodside Village, in Grand Forks, ND. Ivan E. Nelson was born February 13, 1935, the son of Joseph and Mabel (Brady) Nelson. He grew up and attended school in Crookston and graduated from high school there. Ivan served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Sasebo, Japan, and Manila,Philippines. Ivan was baptized in the Lutheran Church and converted to the Catholic Faith while in the US Navy. On April 7, 1956, Ivan married Yvonne Genereux and they moved to Grand Forks, where he trained under the GI Bill at Rydell Chevrolet. In a short time, Ivan had established a reputation as an excellent auto mechanic and in 1959 opened a Carter service station at the current site of Dickey's Barbeque. In 1961 he moved his gas, fuel oil and tire business across the street and opened B & N Oil Company on the corner of the busiest intersection in North Dakota. In 2001, with the help of his wife, Yvonne, and his sons Greg and Michael, Ivan opened the "new and improved" B & N Oil Company across the parking lot from the old building. In his 53 years in business, Ivan quietly donated thousands of dollars to youth and community groups. B & N Oil was the original site of the "Big Ring" fundraiser for the Salvation Army, co-hosting the event for the first 5 years with Leighton Broadcasting and, along with other businesses in the community, raising thousands of dollars for the Salvation Army. Ivan was a dedicated supporter of programs for the Listen Center, Special Olympics, The Children's Miracle Network, the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" Event and many youth activities in the community. He was a quiet man who believed in "giving back" to the community that had supported his business for over 50 years, and he will be greatly missed. Ivan was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus; a life member of the VFW, America Legion Post #6; Brotherhood of the Fraternal Order of Elks; served on the parent committee for Boy Scout Troop #13; and as a Trustee and Eucharistic Minister at Holy Family Catholic Church. Ivan is survived by: his wife, Yvonne Nelson; Sons, Greg (Deb) Nelson, Grand Forks, Michael (Lisa) Nelson, Grand Forks, Patrick(Lori) Nelson, Champlin, MN; daughters, Kathy Nieuwsma, Grand Forks, Pam (Dean) Kreitinger, Gilbert, AZ, Lori Nelson, Schofield, WI; Brother: Vern (Jeanette) Nelson, Charlotte, NC; Sisters, Cheryl (Donny) Grove, Red Lake Falls, MN, Marilyn (Guy) Remme, Nielsville, MN, Candace (Greg) Aamold, Grand Forks; Grandchildren, Tiffany (Alan) Neiss, Corey (Holly) Kaltenberg, Shawn (Amanda) Kaltenberg, Nicholas Nelson, Amy (Dan) Seidel, Julie Nieuwsma (Russell Steier), Jeffrey Nieuwsma, Nicole (Jason) Schumacher, Jill (Dan) Eberhardt, Brandon (Kerri)Kreitinger, Chad Kreitinger, Taylor Rowerdink, Ben Rowerdink, Alyssa Nelson, Tony Nelson, Tyler Nelson and 12 great-grandchildren. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph & Mabel Nelson; brothers, Gene, Ray & Roy Nelson; grandson, MJ Nelson, and a niece, Heather Nelson. Ivan appreciated beautiful flowers and if you would like to honor his memory by sending a bouquet to his funeral service, they would greatly be appreciated by Yvonne and the family. Ivan was also a practical man, and the family would appreciate any memorials made in Ivan's name to Holy Family Catholic Church, Altru Health Foundation, or Valley Memorial 4000. A mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Holy Family Catholic Church, 1018 18th Ave. South, Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7PM in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd St., Grand Forks, ND. Military Honors will be provided by the ND Army National Guard, the East Grand Forks VFW Post #3817 and the East Grand Forks America Legion Post #157. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks.