| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
- Morris Nelson
Morris Stanley Nelson, of Terry and formerly of Plentywood, died Feb. 27, 2009 in the Prairie
Community Health Center. Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational Church in
Plentywood at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009.
Morris was born on Aug. 16, 1924 to his parents Martin S. and Nora Bernau Nelson in the home
where he was raised, on First Avenue West in Plentywood, Mont. Morris attended school in
Plentywood, graduating from high school in 1942. He enrolled at Montana State University in
Bozeman, returning later to work with his father on the farm his father homesteaded in 1912.
In 1946, Morris married Mary Lou Matkin and to that union two daughters were born - Mary Ann and
Jo Arlene. Morris worked hard and played hard. He loved the water; he waterskied and swam with
his family at Brush Lake often. Every summer he took the family to Whitefish where they loved the
lake and the golf course. All through his life Morris loved to golf. From Calgary to Palm Desert, Calif.,
from San Diego to Myrtle Beach, he loved golfing with his friends. Each goose season, Morris spent
opening day with his daughter Jo Arlene in a goose pit, whether it was in the Medicine Lake area or
in Terry.
He worked for Williston-Scobey Transfer, bringing cement from Regina, Canada to the company's customers in Montana and North
Dakota. In 1962, he went to Dallas, Texas where he completed an intensive course in radio broadcast engineering. He completed F.C.
C. testing for his First Class Radiotelephone operator's license, then with the Krebsbachs in Sidney and Williston, Morris and Mary Lou
opened the first commercial FM radio station in Montana, KPWD-FM in Plentywood. That radio station is still on the air, although the call
letters are KATQ FM and AM. The Nelsons ran the radio station until 1968 when it was sold and they bought The Vogue, a women's
specialty shop in Plentywood. During the 16 years the Nelsons owned The Vogue, Morris continued farming, although he was also
involved in the store, going to market with his wife and employees. Taking his four grandchildren on trips over the years was a real
highlight for Morris. The Nelsons vacationed in Palm Desert, Calif for several years during the month of January. They sold The Vogue in
1984.
In 1985 they discovered Sedona. Ariz., and started wintering there. In 2002, the Nelsons moved home to stay year round. They had sold
their farmland many years before, but they continued to live in the farmstead until 2002 when they moved into Plentywood. In November
of 2003, when the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease become too much, Morris was admitted into the Sheridan Memorial Nursing
Home. Following Mary Lou's death in 2006, Morris was moved to the Prairie Community Health Center in Terry, to be near his daughter,
Jo Arlene.
Morris was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years, Mary Lou, and a great granddaughter Amalia Bottman. He is survived
by his daughters, Mary Ann and John Bottman of Billings, and Jo Arlene and Jim Ausk of Terry; his four grandchildren Andy Bottman and
Jenni of Portland, Ore., Tim Bottman and Tereza of Prague, Czech Republic, Jamie Ausk Crisafulli and Richie of Glendive, and Brandon
Ausk and Karlee of Seattle, Wash.; and six great- grandchildren Jonah Bottman; Jameson, Nelson, Basil and Giarratana Crisafulli; and
Perrie Ausk. He is also survivied by a sister, Phyllis Ennis, of Kalispell; and two nephews Jim and Margaret Joyce of Miles City, and Bob
and Sherry Joyce of Kalispell, and their families.
Memorials are suggested to the Plentywood Golf Course or a charity of one's choice.
| 1924 - 2009 |
Remembering Morris
Thinking of you today, Mary Ann and Jo.
Janet Johnson Cron
Flaxton
tooti62@yahoo.com
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Janet Johnson Cron
Flaxton
tooti62@yahoo.com
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