Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with burial and Military Honors to follow at the Devils Lake Cemetery. 

Raymond Nelson, 92 of rural Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Altru Hospital, Devils Lake, ND with his loving family at his side. 

\Raymond Leander Nelson, born June 16, 1933, at Maddock, North Dakota, Benson County, the son of Willam and Clarice (Aanderud) Nelson. He attended school in Oberon before enlisting in the United States Air Force at seventeen years of age. While living in Oberon, he worked for Hilding Carlson at Service Garage, learning the auto mechanic trade.

Raymond proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict, entering active duty on April 4, 1951. He served at several Air Force Bases and earned his pilot’s license. His experience as an auto mechanic was put to use as an aircraft mechanic until his honorable discharge on April 5, 1955, with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After his discharge from the Air Force, Raymond attended NDSSS in Wahpeton and received his Associates Degree in Auto Mechanics. Raymond returned to work at the Service Garage and eventually became owner and operator of the business. He also did crop spraying for area farmers for several years.

Raymond was united in marriage to his precious Kathryn Hager on June 19, 1957, at Minnewaukan, North Dakota. They lived for a time in Oberon, then eventually moved to their own homestead west of Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years.

After the move to Devils Lake, Raymond worked as a mechanic for the International Dealership and had his own mechanic shop in the yard. When Lake Region Junior College needed an Auto Mechanic Instructor, Raymond began a 25-year teaching career, retiring from Lake Region State College in 1994. But he never quit teaching, he was always there to mentor his sons and grandsons. His family was his pride and joy. He treasured every moment spent with them. He felt so blessed to have them living as his neighbors in the Nelson compound.

Raymond was a true patriot and enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard on November 14, 1973. He served with the 3662 Maintenance Company “The Duce” for almost 17 years. He was discharged on September 24, 1990, with the rank of SFC.

Raymond was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and enjoyed membership VFW.

Raymond, faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, faithful servant to his country in the Korean War and the National Guard, where he carried his duty like a second heartbeat. His true joy, though, was found under the hood of an engine, turning wrenches in the same shared yard where he and his family lived close, worked close, built their lives side by side and loved with their whole heart.

Raymond’s loving family includes his wife Kathryn of almost 69 years; son Randy Nelson and his wife Brenda; granddaughter Shannon Drury; great grandsons Hunter Drury and Zachary Drury; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Gene Hager, Grahams Island, Don and Julie Hager, Arizona, Dorothy Cox, Lakota ND and Carol and Dennis McGuire, Pillsbury, ND; several nieces and nephews.

He was reunited with his parents, son Ricky Nelson, granddaughter Bobbie Jo Nelson, brother Clayton and his wife Grace Nelson, sister Audry and her husband Richard Shea.