Funeral services for Olav L. Nelson, age 97, of Oakland, will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Oakland Midway Lutheran Church. The

Rev. H. Michael Ryburn will officiate. Interment will be in the Oakland Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Olav died Monday, May 23, 2005, at his home.

Olav Leonard Nelson was born Jan.13, 1908, to Hans and Britha (Olson) Nilsen in Storesund, Norway. He attended school in Norway through the 8th grade. On April 18, 1936, Olav was united in marriage to Sigfrid Hildegard Gjellestad in Etne, Norway. Three years later, the couple immigrated to the United States to Milwaukee, Wis., where Olav was employed with the railroad. On March 1, 1942, the couple moved to Riceland Township where he farmed and continued with the railroad. They then moved to Moscow Township in 1951. Olav was a dedicated farmer and had planted trees in many areas. He also enjoyed carpentry. Olav was a member of the Oakland Baptist Church.

Survivors include his daughters: Helen Gold of Columbus, Wis., and Shirley Baker of Santa Maria, Calif.; grandchildren: Clarke and his wife Kelly Nelson, Craig and his wife Pamela Nelson, Chris and his wife Holli Nelson, Jodene Gold, Gerald and his wife Belinda Gold, Gary and his wife Karin Gold, Judith and her husband Layton Searight, Timothy Gold, Suzanne and her husband Scott Ellinghuysen, Shelly Grass, Scott Grass, and J. Darrin and his wife Anne Gross; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Olav was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sigfrid, in 1986; his son, Bjorn, in 1970; and his brother, Ingvard, in 1913.