Carroll "C.W." Nelsen

Carroll Willard “C.W.” Nelsen was born on August 20, 1927 to Jens and Gladys (Miller) Nelsen in Tyler, Minnesota.  He grew up in the Ruthton, Minnesota area until 1940 when his family moved to Holland, Minnesota.  He attended Ruthton High School, graduating in 1946.  On June 29, 1946 he was united in marriage to Eloise Whitaker at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland.  The couple lived in Holland until 1948 when they moved to Jasper, Minnesota.  During this time C.W. drove school bus and ran the projector at his dad’s movie theater in Jasper.  He also worked for Con Ronning in Jasper.  In 1952, C.W. and Eloise moved to Mitchell, South Dakota and he worked for the Lindsay Brothers Farm Equipment from 1952 to 1986.  In 1986 he began working for Portable Elevator Company, Glencoe Division until it was sold to Farmhand Incorporated where he worked until he retired in May of 1993.  After retirement he still would have farmers call him to help fix their drying bins when they weren’t working.  In 2012, He and Eloise moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Eloise preceded C.W. in death on November 28, 2019.  C.W. continued to live at Washington Crossing Senior Living in Sioux Falls until November 20, 2023 when he entered the care of the Good Samaritan Society in Canton, South Dakota, where he passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at the age of 96.   

C.W. was a lifelong Lutheran, he was baptized and confirmed at the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ruthton, Minnesota.  He had been a member of Messiah New Hope Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  C.W. enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing, and going water-skiing but most of all loved watching Minnesota Vikings and Twins games. 

He is lovingly remembered by his children, Marsha (Eldine) Sandholm of Sioux Falls, SD, and Scott (Monique) Nelsen of Anaheim, California, daughter-in-law Becky Nelsen of Cle Elum, Washington; eight grandchildren, Brian (Lori) Nelsen, Monica Nelsen, Hailey (Jeremy) Williamson, Justin (Aki) Sandholm, Josh (Corrie) Sandholm, Jessica (Tom) Torkelson, Angela Sandholm, Hunter Nelsen and Tanner Nelsen; great-grandchildren, D’Andre (Cynthia), Taryn, Cortney, Michael, Ryan, Dean, Carter, Creighton, Mara, Nora, Isaac, Lilly, Kian, Tatum, Rylie and Cope; one great-great grandchild, Julia; and one brother-in-law, Gene Rood of Ruthton.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bruce Nelsen; grandson, Jonathan Sandholm; one brother, Duane Nelsen; and his three sisters, June Zarn, Betty Stensgaard and Janet Rood.