Anthony Nelson, 38 of Mapleton, ND died peacefully on June 14, 2018 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo surrounded by family.

Sgt. Anthony David Nelson, Ret. was born in Thief River Falls, MN on January 23, 1980. He grew up in Valley City, ND, while spending summers on the farm in Karlstad, MN. He spent his time racing cars, hunting and fishing, cruising in “The Beast”, and going for milk runs with Meyer Milk. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1998.

He spent two years hauling sugar beets and working on Grandpa Bill Nelson’s farm.  Anthony enlisted in the Army in 2001 where he attended Basic Training in Fort Benning, GA.  He was a mortar specialist in the Army Infantry stationed in Fort Drum, NY with the 10th Mountain Division. He served four tours of duty overseas, one during the Kosovo Campaign and three during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He received a medical discharge from the army in 2009 at the rank of E05 staff sergeant. Upon retiring from the military, he found a desire to return to farming.  He spent the remaining years of his life working for former Senator Mark Andrews on his farm in Mapleton, ND.

Anthony felt most at ease in the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish especially when accompanied by his black lab, Luna.  You could always find him wearing NDSU or Penn State apparel to support his favorite sports teams. He recently spent time catching up with his military buddies with the hope to one day travel the country to visit each one of them.  

Anthony was a devoted father, son, brother, and uncle to all of those he loved. His daughter Elizabeth was his world, and he loved her dearly.  He would beam with pride and joy at how smart, funny, and independent his daughter has become. To the rest of the family, he showed his heart through the extravagant gifts that he would buy and the buttons that he would push.  Nothing was more important to him than the family that loved him.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth; parents, Jackie and Don Bruenjes, Fargo, ND; sisters, Jami Olson, St. Paul, MN, Brittni (Tyler) Fettig, Bismarck, ND, Ashlee (Ryan) Anderson, Karlstad, MN, Christina (Andrew) Bruenjes, and Jessica (Sean) Anderson, Fredrick, WI; brothers, Joseph (Lydia) Bruenjes, Kalamazoo, MI and Benjamin Bruenjes; nieces, Freyja and Addia; nephews, Finn, Carter, Coen, and Atticus; stepmother, Renee Nelson; grandmother, Joyce Helling, St. Cloud, MN;  grandparents, Irvin and Mary Bruenjes, Bismarck, ND; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Brad Nelson; grandmother, Maxine Nelson; grandfathers, William Nelson and Kenneth (Nancy) Helling; and countless brothers in arms.

 

We would like to thank everyone for their love and support. In lieu of flowers, we are requesting that donations be made to the Fisher House Foundation, Home for Our Troops, or Disabled American Veterans in his honor.

Visitation will be from 4-6pm with a prayer service at 5pm, Sunday, June 17 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. The memorial service is 11am Monday, June 18, at First Lutheran Church, Fargo.

Memories and online condolences may be shared by visiting www.hansonrunsvold.com

Arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo.