Gary S. Nelson, 78 of Stanley, N.D. passed away November 16, 2019 at MCMC hospital in Stanley.
Gary was born to Albert and Edna (Byington) Nelson on May 18th, 1941. He was the 11th child of 11 children in the family. He married Jenette Kulczyk Schule on June 30th, 1963. They were married for 56 years.
Gary was an educator, farmer, rancher and banker. He attended UND and Minot State University as well as Superior State College where he obtained a specialist degree. He was an investment banker at Midland Bank in Minneapolis, Minnesota before moving to Washburn, Wisconsin where he taught grades K-12 and coached several sports. He was also the Ski School Director at Port Mountain near Bayfield, Wisconsin during that time.
He brought his young family back to Stanley in 1971, where he worked at Scandia American Bank, farmed, ranched and was a volunteer fireman. He was later elected President of the North Dakota Independent Bankers.
Gary served on many boards in his community. He also held state and national organizational offices for professional ski instructors and pool players. Gary refereed pool competitions in Las Vegas. He was an examiner for the professional Ski Association and mentored many in obtaining their credentials in both the fields of skiing and pool competition.
It was very important to Gary to help others to reach their potential, and he made special efforts with the young. His children, Scott and Ann were the joy of his life and he spent much time with them. (He also holds the distinction of being the only man who was able to teach his wife to ski.)
The greatest trauma in Gary’s life was when his daughter, Ann, was killed on 9/11 while working as a Bond Broker for Cantor FitzGerald in the World Trade Center. One of the things that saved his and his wife’s sanity was that their son, Scott, his wife, Dawn Jensen Nelson, and five grandchildren lived in Stanley during the years that followed and shared their lives. Another was the building of Annie’s House Adaptive Recreation program (in cooperation with Anne Carlson School). The work there with the disabled and wounded warriors seemed to keep Ann’s spirit alive. Gary spent many hours instructing skiing there.
Annie’s house is a collaborative effort by New York Says Thank You (founded by Jeff Parness), Bottineau Winter Park and friends and family. The initial effort began September 9, 2012, when 250 people from 23 different states arrived to build the house. It was then completed by faithful volunteers.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings as well as his daughter, Ann. He is survived by his wife, Jenette; his son, Scott; his daughter -in-law, Dawn Jensen Nelson; grandchildren; Brittany Giesen (Jordan), Brooke Nelson, Jesse Nelson, Jeremiah Nelson and B Nelson; great-grandchildren, Madison and George Giesen; numerous nieces, nephews and family members.
Memorial Contribution
Memorials are preferred to MCMC, Box 399, Stanley, ND 58784, Ina Mae Rude Aquatic Center, PO Box 173, Stanley, ND 58784, Giving Hearts Home Care LLC, PO Box 371, Stanley, ND 58784, Annie’s House Adaptive Recreating Program, Winter Park Road, Bottineau, ND 58318, or New York Says Thank You Foundation, 2472 Broadway #236, New York, NY 10025.
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