Chester ‘Chet’ Nelson, 72, passed away on Sunday, March 1st, at his home in Fosston, MN. A small memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7th, at St. Peter’s Country Church, rural Fosston/Bagley. Military honors will be provided by the Spring Lake V.F.W. Post 2759 of Lengby, MN. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of McIntosh and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Chester was born on May 25, 1953, in Fosston MN to Emily and Nels Nelson. Growing up, Chet loved to listen to his aunts’ and uncles’ stories about the area and all the families that made up the community. Chet graduated from Fosston High School in 1971 and joined the United States Marine Corps and served for 9 years. He worked as a radio tech, repairing communication equipment as a marine, and was stationed stateside and abroad, including Okinawa Japan. After discharge from the USMC, he joined the Air National Guard of Fargo ND (The Happy Hooligans) and served until his retirement from ANG. Chet and his family returned to Fosston in 1980 where his three children Stephanie, Erik and Adam attended and graduated from FHS. In 2004 he was able to build on his great- grandfather’s homestead and enjoyed country living. Chet worked production most of his life, retiring from MDV. Chet had many talents and hobbies including breaking and training Percheron horses, was an active member of the Lengby VFW and honor guard, fixing all manner of equipment, hunting, growing veggies, visiting family (especially his grandchildren), and enjoying an occasional motorcycle ride.

Chet is preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Emily Nelson, siblings Merle Nelson, and Jeanie Gillen. Chet is survived by his sister Joan (Donnie) Nelson, SIL Janet Nelson, BIL Vince Gillen, his kids Stephanie Nelson, Erik (Kim) Nelson, and Adam Nelson, his grandchildren Alex Nelson and Ethan Nelson, Cole (Aletta) Nelson and Kaitlyn (Austin) Streed, Reed (Tessa) Dickens, and Lindley Nelson, and many other family and loved ones.