It is with great sadness that Shirley Nelson announces the sudden passing of her loving husband Lloyd. Lloyd Mervin Nelson was born on April 14, 1932 in Granum and died on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.
Lloyds’ parents emigrated from Norway in the early 1900s and bought a farm east of Granum which Lloyd continued to farm after his parents passed away in the 1960s. He was passionate about farming and was very good at what he did.
Lloyd met Shirley in 1977 and in 1979 they were married. Shirley was a farm girl growing up and so she and Lloyd were a good team, working very hard and loving the farm life. He remained on the family farm after retiring in 1992, until he and Shirley built a new house and moved to Claresholm in 2003. Lloyd worked very hard to landscape the yard around their new home and so continued to work the land on a smaller scale. His hard work paid off with the beautiful yard which will continue blooming and provide hours of viewing pleasure for Shirley as well as the golfers going by on the golf course behind their house.
Lloyd was a very active man who was not one to be idle for long. He and Shirley enjoyed many fishing and camping trips over the years. In fact, Lloyd had a pond on the farm which he stocked with trout and would be able to take a break anytime to fish. He was a very skilled craftsman and loved woodworking and had many wonderful projects completed in no time at all. He was a humble philanthropic man who did not wish any recognition for his generosity. Lloyd was a member of the Claresholm Legion Branch No. 41 and enjoyed the camaraderie of friends he and Shirley made there over the years.
Lloyd is survived by his loving wife Shirley; sister Marie Joel of Minneapolis and her four children, Dale, Gay, Wayne and Lynn and their children; stepdaughter Debbie (Ed) Pickens of Claresholm and stepson Rob Gedcke of Lloydminster. Lloyd was grandpa to Gabriel, Justin, Cameron and Shellaine and great-grandpa to Landon.
Lloyd was predeceased by his parents Svenhild and Hans Nelson; brother-in-law Lloyd Joel and, most recently, by his brother Ralph Nilsen who died on Dec. 12, 2011. Lloyd was loved by his entire family.
The family wishes to thank their good friend Alfonse Van Langen for his support and for the many trips to Calgary taking Lloyd to appointments. They are also so grateful to the emergency medical responders, Dr. Gish and nurses of the Claresholm General Hospital, especially nurses Barry and Darlene, for their compassion and support during a most difficult time. Sincere appreciation also is extended to RCMP Corporal Mark for his caring and compassion and offer of comfort if needed. Many thanks as well to good neighbor Carmen Stronsky who rushed across the street to be with Shirley when EMS arrived and staying until we arrived home. Thank you all and God bless you all for what you do.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation by calling 403-264-5549 or on-line at www.heartandstroke.ab.ca; the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre, P.O. Box 700, Claresholm, T0L 0T0; or to a charity of your choice in Lloyd’s memory.
Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.leydens.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Leyden’s Funeral Home, Claresholm. Phone: 403-625-3212.