George Edwin Nelson, 1928 - 2006

On April 25, 2006, George Edwin Nelson, long time resident of High Prairie, passed away at the age of 78 years.

George came with his parents to High Prairie from Birch Hills, Sask. when he was 19 years old. Their first home was located where the High Prairie and District Golf Course is today. They later moved into High Prairie. George eventually met and married Sheila Habkirk on Nov. 6, 1950. Together, they had six children. Sheila stayed home with the children while George went away to work, hauling logs by horse for Frank Pollard and Steen Nyberg, then by truck for Buchanan Lumber.

In 1949, George homesteaded west and north of High Prairie and set to clearing the land. He managed to clear, break and plow four quarters of land by himself. Once he had enough land cleared, he moved Sheila and the children out to “the farm” as affectionately called by family. She raised the children while George farmed his four quarters and raised cattle. With the cattle came pigs and chickens and many chores for his children. George believed in working for what you had and if you did a job, you did it right. He passed these traits on to his children.

George eventually sold all of his cattle in 1997 and just kept his horses.

Ever since he was a little boy, George loved horses. Each Christmas or New Year’s he would harness up his horses, with sleigh bells attached, and pull his children and grandchildren in his homemade sleigh. This was a yearly event the family all looked forward to.

George settled into retirement with Sheila about nine years ago. They did some bowling and were thinking of joining seniors swim at the new pool.

His greatest love of all though, was his family. George spent many occasions sitting back and enjoying all the fun his kids and grandkids were having with a smile on his face. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to see family drive in the yard, even it was just for a cup of coffee.

George will be greatly missed by: his wife, Sheila; sons Wayne (Debbie) Nelson, Dale (Gloria) Nelson; and daughters Sharron (Tony) Graham, Donna (Greg) Buchanan, and Wanda (Alan) Bloom. He also leaves to mourn 15 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, three sisters: Opal McMillan, Shirley Kasinec and Marjorie Williams, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

George was predeceased by: his son, Ronald; mother, Olia; father, Nels; brothers Melvin, Floyd, Victor, Lester; and sisters Annie, Cora, Dorothy and Vivian.

The funeral was held at the Church of the Nazarene in High Prairie on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Daryle Kerr officiating. Cremation followed.

Donations may be made to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation as expressions of sympathy.

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