Brian Nelson

Brian Evan Nelson was born to Rene and Gary Nelson on March 23rd, 1956 at Fergus Falls, MN. Spending the first few years of his life in Fergus Falls, the family bought a farm just west of Battle Lake. Brian spent wonderful years of horseback riding, boarding horses and in later years, breaking horses for folks, using his kindness and perseverance to tame even the toughest of challenges. Brian often said it was more about training the rider than the horse, the horse was the easy part!!!

Brian spent countless hours hunting, fishing, knowing the best fishing spots in and around Battle Lake and sharing the "secrets" with the tourists who would come to the local grocery store, where he made great and long time friends. One of his favorite places on earth was Glendalough, long before it became a state park. Brian and best friend, Mike, camped, fished, trapped, hunted and more, having the "run of the place." They lived the best life any young outdoorsman could have. If Brian was not "running the woods and hills", he was on horseback and always said there were no wasted hours on the back of a good horse.

After graduating from Battle Lake High School in 1974, he attended Alexandria Tech Law Enforcement program. Between his first and second year he was hired as a summer officer with the Perham Police Department, forming lifelong friendships with citizens and other officers alike. The brotherhood of the badge formed early, along with respect for one another and much needed humor, a very young looking Brian needed "help" buying ammo as the "Pacifier Kid" moniker was bestowed on him. Brian loved working for Perham and would often be asked to fill in as a part time officer for Perham PD along with part time work with Battle Lake PD, New York Mills PD, and the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department as a jailer. When a permanent position became available, after graduating from Alexandria, Perham PD hired Brian on as a full time officer. Brian and another young officer were asked to head up and run the first original Turtle Races, building great relationships with the youth of Perham along with promoting the city. 

Brian met a friend of one of his fellow cadets on the tennis courts in Alexandria. Though not love at first sight, Sue and Brian became "an item", and married in Perham in 1978. Building businesses, traveling and being each others best friend, Sue and Brian's greatest accomplishment was born in 1992. McKenzie Evan became the light of their lives and completed the family in the best way possible. Adding another traveling companion, the threesome made wonderful memories at the cabin in Wisconsin; many trips to Mazatlan Mexico, Florida, and Canadian fishing trips. The highlight of the lives of the "boys", was their shared adventure to Africa.

Brian wanted to experience all that his law enforcement career had to offer. When a position became available in Washington County, MN, Brian was hired as one of two of 88 applicants. He served as a patrol officer and then was promoted to investigator in the Narcotics Division. Brian had the opportunity to work with the Metro Drug Task force, DEA, Broward Counties, FBI, etc. When Washington County formed the first SWAT team, Brian was tapped to fill the position of sniper and spent countless hours training. He also provided training to others in self defense disciplines, SWAT tactics, Controlled Force, and was called upon to be an expert witness in District and Federal courts along with Grand Jury testimony and spoke in front of the Minnesota State Senate Committee on the STAND YOUR GROUND BILL.

In 1998 the family of three moved back "home", where Brian took the position of Chief of Police in New York Mills. He soon added Deer Creek as a contract area and then was asked to be CLEO of Perham, Mills and Deer Creek combined. Not finding a template of sharing a CLEO to go by, in typical Brian fashion, he simply "made it happen." When funds were freed up and the cities could each afford their own Chief once again, Brian was able to end his law enforcement career where he had started and his last Chiefs job was with Perham P.D. A few years later, he was called out of retirement to fill an administrative LE position in New York Mills as the city reorganized their department. 

With a long history as a firearms instructor, he was tapped to help write the lesson plans for the MN Personal Protection Act of 2003, becoming one of, if not thee first Permit to Carry instructor in MN. Brian was also a NRA instructor along with teaching the UTAH Permit to Carry. He and Sue along with son Mac, have taught these classes throughout Minnesota and North Dakota and are so thankful for the friends and "family" they have met along the way, and thankful to be chosen by so many to be "armed with confidence".

Brian met his final battle as he did all when he was diagnosed with Melanoma nearly four years ago. With ups and downs in treatments and results, he would simply say, "We will play the cards we are dealt", and that is exactly what he did. With a true practicing Christian attitude and belief and love for his Savior, Brian would tell all that he lived a great life, did many things most folks could only dream of, had a great wife, a wonderful son and daughter-in-law, adored his grand girls but "If God wants me tomorrow, I'm ready to go". Brian led us all to a deeper meaning of Grace and Salvation and as the cowboy in life that he so strongly became, we go forward with the motto "Cowboy Up". May that be part of his legacy. 

Under the loving care of Knute Nelson Hospice and the Perham Living Staff of Transitions, Brian went peacefully to his Lord and Savior on July 9th. While at the home, Brian enjoyed the countless friends and family who came from far and wide to hear one more of his stories. He was so thankful for the support and outpouring of love and know that his family is more than appreciative of the care and the memories that were brought to our warrior in his final earthly days. You are all part of a wondrous and magical journey and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Open House will be 1:00-5:00 p.m. with a Rite of Christian Burial Service at 2:00 on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Perham Sportsman's Club. Private burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery near Clitherall, MN.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com