Carl B. Nilson

Carl B. Nilson, age 83 of Park River, ND passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River.

Carl B. Nilson was born September 1, 1933 in Grafton, ND the son of the late Bernard and Clara (Paulson) Nilson. He attended rural school in Fertile Township District 25 and graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River in 1951. He worked for area farmers and farmed with his father until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. He was stationed in Germany for 14 months, being discharged in 1958. While overseas, he visited France, Italy, England, Holland, Denmark and Norway. He started farming in the spring of 1959. He farmed with his brother Paul from 1963-1974. In 1974 he started trucking. He married Arlene Besch Sundby on January 18, 1975 at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple made their home near Hoople. He started trucking for Johnson Farms in Walhalla and later drove for Hoople Farmers Grain. He then worked as a parts man for Kringstad Iron Works for two years followed by working at the Park River Good Samaritan Center.

Carl was a strong advocate for Foster Parenting and found being a Foster Parent very rewarding. The family would like to express their gratitude to Danny Hebert for his lasting friendship with Carl.  Carl was an avid Park River Aggie Fan. Loved to walk to the school and take in all the sporting events.

He is survived by his step-children: Joy Stricklin, Fargo, ND; Faye (David) Ranisate Heley, Devils Lake, ND; Mark (Kathy) Sundby, Cavalier, ND; Holly (Ken) Spanier, Adams, ND; Debbie (Tim) Schroeder, Cavalier, ND; Shane (Mary) Sundby, Oaks, ND; Chad (Julie) Sundby, Grafton, ND; Bob (Kelly) Messelt, Gillette, WY; Debbie (Curtis) Hawkinson, Marysville, KS and foster child, Rick Welsh, Bagley, MN. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, his sister, Ardis Karban, Lakeville, MN and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Arlene in 2003, his brother Paul and four grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Friday, January 27, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hoople, ND. Visitation will be Friday for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at the church cemetery in the spring. Military rites will be provided by the Paul Farup American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.