Keith N. Nelson, 55, died of natural causes at his home in Engelwood, CO. He was born August 16, 1948, in Lisbon, ND, to Lois and Marvin Swanson. He came to live with Orvis and Norma Nelson in 1949.
Keith grew up in Moorhead and Fargo. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1966, and attended NDSU and Wahpeton State School of Science.
In 1970, Keith entered the U.S. Army and served honorably in Vietnam. Upon discharge, he entered the oil business and operated his own mineral leasing company in western North Dakota during the late 1970's. He enjoyed piloting his own plane throughout the upper Midwest. He later moved to Denver, where he was employed for many years with US West as a computer specialist.
Keith is survived by his adopted mother, Norma Nelson Christianson; his biological mother, Lois Seelye; brothers, Marvin (Susan) Swanson, Lisbon, Marlowe (Karen) Swanson, Mechanicsburg, PA, David (Darcy) Swanson, Prineville, OR, Larry (Kay) Swanson, Gwinner, ND; sisters; Cheryl (Wendell) Wolters, Lisbon, and Marsha (John) Nefs, Grand Forks. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends, Glen and Sandy Hyland family, Bismarck, Jim and Deb Christianson family, Bismarck, and Mary and John Carman family, Newton, KS.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Swanson, his fathers, Orvis Nelson and Marvin Swanson, and his stepfather, Marc Christianson.
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Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisbon, ND, at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 27, 2004. Internment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.
Keith was a loving son, brother, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Bismarck Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, 700 S. 9th St., Bismarck, ND 58504, or a charity of donor's choice.
