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At
Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, we
are honored to have earned the trust and confidence placed
in
us by those that we serve.
We pledge to offer respectful and dignified professional
service, service that a family should expect, service that
a family
deserves. From the time the first phone call is received,
throughout the service and beyond, each staff member at
our funeral home
contributes in an important way. We are very proud of our
staff, and hope that you will take the time to learn more
about them
and their families.
Rick Mekalson, Doug Nelson, Virginia Nelson, Chris Carlson,
and Bruce Nilson
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Bruce Nilson
Director
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Bruce
Nilson was born and raised in Alcester, South Dakota
where his grandfather and father owned and operated
the Nilson Funeral Home. After serving in the Korean
War, Mr. Nilson graduated from the University of
Minnesota’s Mortuary Science Program. In 1961, Bruce
purchased the Nilson Funeral Home, formerly the
Gerhards Funeral Home, in Fergus Falls, with chapels
in Battle Lake, Ashby and Evansville.
In 1995, Mr. Nilson partnered with
Glende-Johnson-Nelson Funeral Home. He now enjoys
being an active part of funeral service, while still
having the opportunity to hunt and fish and spend
time with his three children and seven grandchildren.
Bruce is a member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus
Falls, a member of the VFW in Fergus Falls and of
the Ashby American Legion. |
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Doug Nelson
Director
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Doug
also comes from a funeral service background, where
both his grandfather and father were active in the
business in Brooten, Minnesota. After graduating
from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis,
Doug served his apprenticeship at the Hoplin Funeral
Home in Glenwood.
Following his service in the United
States Army, Doug moved to Fergus Falls where he
worked as a licensed director at the Glende-Johnson
Funeral Home. Doug eventually purchased the Funeral
Home which he continues to manage today. Doug and
his wife Virginia live in Fergus Falls and have
two married daughters. Doug and his wife are active
members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
He is also a member of the Otter Risers Kiwanis,
the VFW and the Ashby American Legion. |
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Rick Mekalson
Director
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Rick
was born and raised in Battle Lake, Minnesota, where
he currently resides. After graduating from the
University of Minnesota, he worked at funeral homes
in Virginia, Minnesota, as well as the Bertha area.
In 1995, Rick joined the staff at Glende-Nilson
Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Rick and his wife Ann live in Battle
Lake and have three sons and two grandsons. Rick
is a member of the Battle Lake Lions Club and of
the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. |
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Chris
Carlson
Director
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Chris
comes from a funeral service background as well. He
grew up and attended school in Page, North Dakota,
where his father owned and operated the Lindsey-Carlson
Funeral Home. After graduating from the University
of Minnesota, he worked at funeral homes in Starbuck
and Morris, Minnesota. In 2004, Chris moved to Fergus
Falls, and joined the staff at Glende-Nilson Funeral
Home & Cremation Service.
Chris and his wife Brenda live in Fergus Falls and
have two daughters and one son. He is a member of
the Fergus Falls noon Kiwanis.
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Virginia Nelson
Office Manager
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Virginia has been the
office manager at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation
Service since 1995. Virginia and her husband Doug
live in Fergus Falls and have two married daughters.
In her personal time, Virginia enjoys her flower garden
and working in her yard. She and Doug are members
of Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. |
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Wayne
Swenson
Pre-Arrangement Specialist |
Wayne
Swenson was born and raised in Western North Dakota/Eastern
Montana. After working on the family farm, he attended
college at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
He graduated in 1966 from Moorhead State University
and taught Industrial Education, Driver Education
and Motorcycle Safety in Fergus Falls District #544
for 33 years. After retiring from teaching in 1999,
he was employed by Fergus Power Pump for four years.
As Pre-Arrangement Specialist, Wayne is able to assist
families by providing advice and knowledge on pre-arranging
and pre-paying a funeral. Wayne
and his wife Glori make their home in Fergus Falls.
In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with
their two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.
Wayne is a member of Calvary Free Lutheran Church
of Fergus Falls and the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen
of Dalton. His interests include restoring old tractors,
woodworking and the outdoors.
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Photographs
by Janssen Photography |
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