David Curtis Nelson

Funeral service for David C. Nelson, 60, of Aberdeen will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16th, 2011, with visitation one hour prior at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Eldon Reich will officiate. There will be a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday with visitation from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory.

Dave died Friday, 11-11-11 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

David Curtis Nelson was born Oct. 14, 1951 to Lloyd F. and Miriam Nelson.

Dave and Theresa (Gilliss) Nelson were married Dec. 28, 1971. After graduating from North Dakota State University in 1973 Dave began his career at Link Belt Speeder in Cedar Rapids, IA and continued working for the same company (now BAE) until the time of his death. While living in Cedar Rapids he earned his MBA from the University of Iowa. Dave and Theresa raised three children who will remember him as a gentle spoken man guided by his faith in God.

In June 1991 the focus went from coaching soccer and basketball to managing chemotherapy for carcinoid syndrome. After a year of treatments Dave decided the chemotherapy was doing more damage than good and stopped his treatments. The oncologist thought Dave would live about 6 months. There were many days that made 6 months seem optimistic.

The surgeons and oncologists weren't sure Dave could survive open-heart surgery in 1997 (5 years after the 6-month estimate), but two mechanical heart valves were necessary for survival. God still had plans for Dave.

Dave had a near-death experience in 2003 (11 years after the 6-month estimate). His heart stopped beating and it took a defibrillator to get it restarted and an emergency plane ride to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a pacemaker to keep it going. He said, "The paddles hurt, you know, like being electrocuted"

This October Dave had pneumonia that wouldn't go away. Nov. 3rd he went to Mayo Clinic to see a pulmonologist and after more than a week of tests and examinations the cardiologists determined the problem was with his mitral valve. This time the cardiac surgeon and oncologist were confident Dave could survive the surgery. On Nov. 11, 2011 Dave had his mitral valve replaced and in the process needed his tricuspid valve replaced again. This time, 19 years after the 6-month estimate and 20 years after his carcinoid diagnosis, Dave's heart muscle was finally too tired.

He only has awesome days now.

We don't picture Dad as sick. We remember him as a proud 1966 Chevelle owner, NDSU Bison alumni and sports fan. As a coach, dad, and papa to grandkids, Dad provided us advice we can trust and upon whose love and friendship we can rely.

Our favorite words of advice include advising the referee to test the whistle to see if it worked. He was courteous and quick to offer his glasses to a referee that had apparent vision problems. The proper response to spilled milk is, "smooth move". If you were wondering what sparked the changes from a 1972 Chevy Nova to a '73 Nova, it was a change in safety regulations that included blinkers on the side panels and longer bumpers.

We believed him when he said our industrial development doesn't matter that much if it comes at the expense of our environment. We believed him when he said you don't tear down someone else's beliefs. And the words we rely upon the most are, "I am proud of you and I love you."

Dave is survived by his wife of 40 years, Theresa, and their children K.C. and his wife Priscilla (Kulland); Cari (Ottenbacher) and her husband Travis; and Drew. His grandchildren Grace, Stella, Max, Phoebe, and John will remember him as their "Papa Dave" who was always ready to play catch, take them for a truck ride, and snuggle. He is lovingly remembered by his brother Bob, sister Marge, a supportive extended family, and his friends and co-workers of many years at BAE.

 

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