Nelson was born on June 4, 1958, in the small town of Rugby, North Dakota, and raised by his parents, Marlowe and Marion, on a diversified farm northeast of Rugby. Crops on the farm included wheat, barley, oats, flax, and corn; and livestock consisted of dairy cattle, beef cattle, hogs, mink, and chickens. Along with his brother, Mark, and sister, MariJean, the family attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby. Nelson's father served as a township treasurer and County Commissioner in Pierce County. Nelson's parents were also both active in Civil Defense.
Nelson met his wife, Susan Ulwelling, in Fargo, North Dakota. After being married, the two moved to Rolla, North Dakota, where Nelson and several others built a consignment shop called Clothing Connection. Nelson continues to operate the shop, in addition to working as an agricultural consultant.
Nelson serves on the board of directors for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America. He has been active in both Farmers Union and Farm Bureau, the Agricultural Consultants of North Dakota, Northwest Landowners Association, and the Salted Lands Council.
Political career
Nelson was elected to District 9 in the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2010 and was reelected in 2014. District 9 consists of Rolette County. Nelson has served three sessions on the Industry, Business and Labor Committee, and on the Natural Resources, Agriculture, Transportation, and Audit and Fiscal Review Committee. During the Interim, he has served on the Health Care Reform, Taxation, Health Services, Water Topics, and Tribal and State Relations Committees. He currently serves as chairman for Tribal and State Relations.
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Nelson has been elected to Legislative Management for two sessions, and also serves on the House Rules Committee. He has been appointed to the Crop Protection Product Harmonization and Registration Board.
