Marvin LeRoy Nelson, 82, Fertile, MN, died Saturday, August 22, 2015, at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN, surrounded by his wife and daughters. Marvin was born on June 5, 1933, to Oscar and Eldora (Johnson) Nelson, in Ashby, MN. He attended school in Ashby and entered the United States Marine Corp on January 4, 1952, serving in Korea. Marvin was honorably discharged on January 3, 1955. Following his service in the military, Marvin was employed by Ford Motor Company in Milpitas, CA, and later worked for the Palo Alto Fire Department and Culligan Water Conditioning.
On January 26, 1957, Marvin was united in marriage to Betty Liebenow at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Barnesville, MN. Together, they attended Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN. During his college years, Marvin transported vehicles for Wallworks Car Dealership and read electrical meters for Northern States Power Company. He graduated in May of 1961, in both Science and Physical Education. He was employed by the Fertile-Beltrami School District to teach Science/Biology classes and start a wrestling program, which he led as coach for the next 15 years. Marv also taught drivers training for many years. In the summer months, Marv operated "Nelson Wood Supply"—cutting and selling cords of wood as well as painting.
Marv Nelson and Fertile-Beltrami Wrestling were synonymous for many years. "Guts, grit and desire" characterized Marv's coaching years. His determination, discipline and leadership built a team of 12 wrestlers into 60-70 member squad that commanded respect at all levels of the sport. Marv was nicknamed "Marvelous Marv" and would refer to his team members as "Marv's Boys". As a coach Marv experienced many winning seasons and worked year around with numerous, dedicated athletes whom he was extremely proud of. His last season he led the team to finish 2nd in the State of Minnesota.
Marvin retired from teaching in 1992. He continued to keep busy with Nelson Wood Supply and working at the Fertile Building Center until 2001. He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post #238, a former Fertile EMT, Fertile Fireman, and Lion's Club member.
Marv was known to be a perfectionist in all that he did, and his high expectations pulled those around him to also excel. His sense of humor and infectious laugh drew people to him. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and training horses to compete at horse shows. Marv was proud of his wrestling teams and teaching career, but he especially held close to his heart his wife and daughters…and as the family grew, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Betty, Fertile; four daughters: Jeanne (Jeff) Peterson, Carol (Randy) Torgerson, and Peggy (Ron) Bingham, all of Grand Forks, ND, and Lizabeth (Troy) Lindberg, of Maple Lake, MN; 10 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren; three brothers: Calmer (Janie) Papillion, NE, David (Mikki), Reisteron, MD, and Larry (Becky), Ashby, MN; and one sister-in-law, Pauline Nelson, Phoenix, AZ, and one brother-in-law, Carl Williams, Papillion, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, one brother, Jerry, and one sister, Janet Williams.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2015, in the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2015, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile, MN.

Burial will be in the Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Marvin's family is requesting gifts to be designated to the Fertile-Beltrami Education Foundation for college bound students entering into the Field of Science.

Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home

Fertile, MN
www.eriksonvikfh.com