Vern E. Nelson

                    Vern E. Nelson, 70, rural Bigfork, died Monday, July 22, 2024, in Americare Lodges, Grand Rapids.

          Born September 4, 1953, in Grand Rapids, he was the son of Orville and LaVerne (Lindsay) Nelson.  Vern lived most of his life in Itasca County, was a 1971 graduate of Greenway High School, and attended Itasca Community College.  Vern and Sherry Meyer were married on November 6, 1980, in the Balsam Bible Chapel.  He had been a member of the Old Scenic Community Church, served on the Taconite Fire Department for many years, had served as an Iron Range Township supervisor, and was a member of the United Steel Workers Local 2660.  Vern had worked for Butler Taconite, National Steel, Kee Tac, and U.S. Steel, retiring in 2019.

          His parents, Orville and LaVerne Nelson; a brother, Danny; a grandson, Anthony “Tony” Nelson; and the dog that turned him into a softie, Madison preceded him in death.

          Survivors include his wife, Sherry; sons, Michael (Katie) Nelson, Vince (Carrie) Nelson, and Jacob (Cassie) Nelson; twenty grandchildren; six great grandchildren; siblings, Dwight “Ike” (Sharon) Nelson, Kathy (Bill) Bryan, Diane (Joe) Camilli, Richard “Reech” Nelson, Peggy (Ted) Birch, Richard “Pipe” Holzemer, Pat (Marvin) York, and Sandy Mattice; and his “best friend” Maggie.

          Visitation will be 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM funeral service on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in the Balsam Bible Chapel.  Interment will be in the Balsam Cemetery.  

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