Bruce Nelson

Bruce R. Nelson, 53, Bismarck, went to be with his first love, his master, Jesus Christ, on June 16, 2007, at his home after a long battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 20, at 11:00 AM at Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck with Father Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be at St. Marys Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2:00 - 9:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service where time for sharing and a prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Bruce was born on July 17, 1953, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Elof and Lois Archbold Nelson. He grew up in Bismarck, attending Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Hughes Junior High, and Bismarck High School. He graduated from Bismarck State College in 1973 and North Dakota State University in 1975 with a degree in civil engineering. He married Kathy Harkness in 1976. Bruce started his 31-year engineering career in June 1975 working in Pierre, SD, as a construction engineer for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. In November 1976, he transferred with the Bureau and started a 28-year career with Montana-Dakota Utilities Company in Jamestown, ND, transferring to MDU's headquarters office in Bismarck in 1981. He held several positions while in the MDU Bismarck office with his last position being Director of Distribution Engineering until he went on disability in late 2006. He was a registered professional engineer in a number of states. Bruce was active in the community, serving on the Genie-Watt Credit Union loan committee and St. Alexius Community Credit Union Board of Directors. He was active in the field of engineering as a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers NSPE for over 25 years. In the local chapter of NSPE, he served as an officer and also on numerous committees. He served as NSPE's/NDSPE's chairman for Professional Engineers in Industry from 1985 until the time of his death. In 1983, Bruce was selected as the chapter's Young Engineer of the Year. He served on the Corpus Christi Church council and did volunteer fundraising work for the Boy Scouts of America and United Way. He also volunteered his time and talents to assist the Pride Manchester House, which serves children with severe emotional disturbances. Bruce was a 1991 graduate of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. He had a deep Christian faith and had accepted the Lord into his life as his Lord and Savior. His prayer is that his death be celebrated as a joyous event because he is now in heaven with his Savior for eternity. Bruce was an inspiration to others with his upbeat attitude even though he suffered with cancer. He wished to say thank you to all his MDU co-workers for the years of dedicated service and support they provided him. Also, a thank you to his fellow engineers, members of the NDSPE, and a special thanks to his neighbors on Capitol Avenue for their tremendous support during his illness. "May God bless you all and I will see you in heaven with our Savior, Jesus Christ." Bruce is survived by his two daughters, Stephanie Nelson of Rochester, MN, and Karalee Nelson of Bismarck; his sisters, Sister Margaret Nelson of Bismarck, and Carol Ken Trenda of Lone Tree, Co; his brother, Barry Nicole Nelson of Plymouth, MN; his former wife, Kathy Nelson of Bismarck; and his special friend, Lisa Voiles, Bismarck. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elof and Lois Nelson. Memorials may be given to the Pride Manchester House in Bismarck and St. Alexius Hospice Team.

Bruce Nelson

July 17, 1953 - June 16, 2007