Walter V. Nelson was born November 10, 1919, to Nicholai and Sophia Nelson during a blizzard near Nome, North Dakota. He grew to manhood in the Nome-Kathryn area, attending school at Daily #2, and Kathryn.
Walter married Dorothy I. Ekern, daughter of Melvin and Caroline Ekern, who was born November 11, 1921. They were united in marriage on December 24, 1939, at Fargo.
On March 15, 1941, the couple moved to their present farm home, three miles west of Kathryn, North Dakota.
Six children were born to Walter and Dorothy. Virginia (born October 9, 1942) is married to James Stevens. Sharon (born August 1, 1945) is married to Dennis Coleman. Connie (born October 9, 1948) is Mrs. Rodney Olson. Wayne (born September 11, 1951) works at the Valley City Water Plant. James (born August 29, 1957) is in the Army. Jeffrey is attending school in Kathryn. He was born August 29, 1960.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 173