Paul A. Nilson

Paul A. Nilson, age 83 of Grafton, ND and formerly of Hoople, ND passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton.

Paul Allen Nilson was born February 17, 1932 at, Grafton, ND the son of the late Bernard and Clara (Paulson) Nilson. He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hoople.  Paul attended elementary school at Walstad School District #25 in Fertile Twp. He graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River in 1950. He married LeeAnne Greicar on March 24, 1955 in East Grand Forks, MN. They had two sons, Bradley and Keith. He began farming in Glenwood Township in 1960 and farmed until retiring in 2002. He served on the Glenwood Township, Zion Lutheran Church, Hoople Farmers Grain and Federal Land Bank Boards. LeeAnne passed away on October 1997. In 2000 he married Ruthe Maxwell Ward in Northwood, ND. The couple lived on the family farm until moving to Grafton in August of 2013. He is survived by his wife, Ruthe of Grafton, ND; sons: Bradley (Bette) Nilson, Keith (Brenda) Nilson six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; five step children: Mark A. Ward, Baudette, MN; Kimberley (Gordon) Castleman, Fargo, ND; Scott Ward (JoAnn Swift), Buchanan, ND; Lee Ward, Key West, FL; Janine (Brian) Haugen, Fargo, ND; 13 step-grandchildren, 16 step-great grandchildren; sister, Ardis Karban, Lakeville, MN; and brother Carl of Park River, ND. He was preceded in by his parents and wife LeeAnne.

Funeral services will be Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hoople, ND. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-5 with a prayer service at 5:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church. Friends may also call at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. Memorials are preferred to the Lutheran Sunset Home or Valley Ambulance.