NEW SWEDEN – A. Forrest Nelson, 99, beloved husband of Madeline “Madge” (Fay) Nelson, died July 14, 2004, at a Caribou healthcare Facility. He was born at New Sweden, July 7, 1905, the son of Andrew H. and Rossie May (Keith) Nelson. He was a graduate of local schools and later attended Business School in Presque Isle. As a young man Forrest was a Game Warden and also worked for the Aroostook Federation of Farmers. For most of his life he was a seed potato grower, farming in the New Sweden Area. Active in the Agricultural Community he was a member and past Master of the New Sweden Grange, was Grange Produce Officer, and was a member of the Pomona Grange. For many years he also sold insurance, operating an office from his home. Forrest was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Sweden, was a member and trustee of the Consolidated School Planning Board, and was a member of the New Sweden School Committee. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, life member of the New Sweden Historical Society, member of the Nordic Lakers Snowmobile Club, former member of Sportsman’s Inc., vice president of the New Sweden Cemetery Association, and a member of the National Geographic Society. He served two terms (109th and 110th) in the Maine State Legislature where he was active on the Agricultural Committee. He was a permanent member of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a 1983 member of the United States Senatorial Club. Forrest was a well-known professional musician, playing in the New Sweden band for over 60 years. He also sold musical instruments. An avid hunter and fisherman, Forrest was at home in the Maine wilderness. In 1995 he received the Boston Post Cane for New Sweden. He is survived by his wife of 73 years of New Sweden; two sons, Keith Galen Nelson and his wife, Lucy (LaCombe) of New Sweden, Robert Lee Nelson and his wife, Peggy Ann (Holmquist) of Nobleboro; six granddaughters, Lori Lee Nelson of Beaumont, Texas, Sheri Rae Stone of Powder Springs, Ga., Terri Lee Nelson of Dover, N.H., Traci Ann Halvorson of Easton, Nicole Antoinette Dower of Syracuse, N.Y., Trudi Jo Gillen of Gray; a step-granddaughter, Gina LaBlanc of Presque Isle; three great-grandsons, Greg Monroe Olmstead of Houston, Texas, Cody John Halvorson of Easton, Zachary Tyler Nelson-Marios of Dover, N.H.; eight great-granddaughters, Ashleigh Faye Stone of Powder Springs, Ga., Carla Jo Halvorson of Easton, Jacki Ann Shaw of Gray, Brittany Lee Bridgwater of Beaumont, Texas, Sophia Marie Dower of Syracuse, N.Y. Gabrielle Elizabeth Dower of Syracuse, N.Y., Grace Catherine Dower of Syracuse, N.Y., Kylie Marie Nelson-Marios of Dover, N.H. He was predeceased by two brothers, Sterling Keith Nelson and Bertel Rutherford Nelson; two sisters, Alice Ingeborg Foster and Letha May Sodergren. Family and friends may call 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at the Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 18th at the Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. James Morgan officiating. Interment will be at the New Sweden Cemetery, New Sweden.
A. FORREST NELSON
