Bill Nelson's Obituary
William "Bill" Nelson, 79, of Ames, IA formerly of Fargo, ND and Lake Park, MN went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Due to federal and state guidelines for COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in MN. William Charles Nelson was born on February 25, 1941 to William and Charlotte (Thompson) Nelson in Fargo, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm in a close-knit, farming community near Rollag, MN and attended a one room schoolhouse for six years and Hawley Public Schools for six years. Bill had an active childhood that included various shenanigans with his many Norwegian cousins and Rollag friends. The Nelson family were founding members of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR) that is held annually in Rollag, MN. Bill loved and grew up with steam engines and old gas tractors and had been involved with WMSTR from 1954-present. He operated his uncle Norman's miniature steam engines during the first WMSTR show. "Dr. Bill" spent many happy years' on his Gaar Scott steam engine and was often seen getting around the show grounds on his bicycle. On November 1, 1969, Bill married Karen Harris and shortly thereafter they left for Brazil, where they lived for 16 months while Bill was collecting data for his PhD dissertation. After returning from Brazil, they established their life in the Fargo area, where they had two children, Jenny and Scott. Bill was a member at Valley Christian Church in Moorhead, MN and served in various positions there for many years. Bill was a board member of the Clay/Wilkin MN Deer Hunters Association and served on the Board at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion. Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University and graduate degrees from the University of Arizona and Ohio State University. He was a professor in the College of Agriculture at North Dakota State University for 33 years and retired in 2004 with emeritus status. Bill had a passion for teaching and taught 20 different courses covering topics such as Environmental Economics, Farm Finance, Cooperatives and Agriculture Policy. Bill took great pride in his students' successes and enjoyed following their careers after graduation. In addition to teaching, Bill maintained a very active research program in the areas of cooperatives and international agribusiness. As part of this work, he traveled to Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to promote cooperative development in these countries. Bill held several administrative positions at NDSU, including Director of the Center for Cooperatives, Director of International Research and Development, Director of the Institute of Natural Resources and Economic Development, Chair of Faculty Senate and the N.D. Association of Faculty, charter member and first president of the statewide Society of Higher Education Professionals and Provost of Tri-College University. Bill was co-founder of Mid-America Consultants International (MACI) and continued to work with MACI for many years after his retirement from NDSU. With MACI, he conducted over 50 international training programs for professionals from more than 40 countries. Topics covered in these programs range from bee keeping and honey processing, making and marketing cheese, cooperatives, biofuels, distance education and various aspects of agricultural policy. In his free time, Bill enjoyed travel and many outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, biking and kayaking. Bill and Karen traveled extensively both in this country and overseas. In later years Bill and Karen moved to their lake home on Middle Cormorant and especially enjoyed the times when their grandchildren came to visit. Bill treasured his family, enjoyed life and lived it knowing that he was in God's hands. He had a joy in life that had a meaningful effect on the people he met and will be dearly missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Karen Nelson of Ames; daughter, Jenny (Dean) Muschamp of Winona, MN; son, Scott (Marna) Nelson of Ames; grandchildren, Nathan, Paul and Kevin Muschamp of Winona, MN and Ada and Ian Nelson of Ames. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Charlotte; brother, Roger and sister, Shirley (Nelson) Leary. The family wishes to thank the staff at Heartwood House for their care of Bill this past year. Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
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