Kenneth Nelk

Kenneth Nelk, age 96, of Breckenridge, Minnesota, formerly of Wheaton, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Kenneth was born to Charles and Anna (Niesche) Nelk on June 29, 1924 in Wheaton , Minnesota. Kenneth was an only child. He graduated from Traverse County School District #37 June 23, 1939 with four students in his class. Kenneth grew up on the family farm north of Wheaton. Kenneth loved farming and riding his motorcycle. Kenneth met Beverly Boese on a motorcycle trip to Minneapolis while visiting friends. They were married on June 15, 1963 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kenneth and Beverly lived on the family farm north of Wheaton where they raised four children and farmed until 1980. He enjoyed his thirty plus years working at the Traverse County Fair. They enjoyed their many trips to California to visit her sister and daughter Cathy in the late 1980’s. They sold Watkins products from 1980 until 1996 when Beverly passed away. In the spring of 1999 Kenneth met the second love of his life Betty Gaulrapp. Together they enjoyed gardening, fishing, and their many camping trips throughout the summer and winter travels to California. He moved off the farm into Wheaton to an apartment in 2007. In 2017 he moved to Twin Town Villa Assisted Living in Breckenridge, Minnesota after medical problems. He enjoyed people and loved to share stories with family and friends.

Kenneth is survived by his very special friend Betty Gaulrapp; children: Marlon (Rhonda) Nelk of Wilmot, SD; Cathy Nelk of Breckenridge, MN; Jon (Terry) Nelk of Fairmount, ND; and Marlys (Russell) Tweiten of Fargo, ND; eight grandchildren: Ryan (Bradie) Nelk; Rochelle (Marshall) Kays; Rhonda Savaloja; Dustin (Courtney) Schaefer; Rebecca (Wade) Goens; Colton Schaefer; Steven Nelk; and Karley Nelk; twelve great-grandchildren: Lane and Dilynn Nelk; Kenadi, Caleb and Cullen Kays; Alexis and Kaitlyn Savaloja; Phillip “Hawk” and John Schafer; Broden and Brooklyn Borns; and Hailie Schaefer.

Kenneth is preceded in death by wife of thirty-three years Beverly; daughter-in-law Rose; parents Charles and Anna; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and cousins.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton. The service will be livestreamed on this webpage.

Condolences can be mailed to Jon Nelk - P.O. Box 221 - Fairmount, North Dakota 58030