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Calvin M. Kelly Nerland
Jul 08 1925 - Jun 13 2010
Calvin M. Kelly Nerland

         Funeral services for Calvin M. “Kelly” Nerland, age 84, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. Robert Waite will officiate.  Music will be provided by Marcia Jelsma as organist and Judy Everson as soloist.  Calvin passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at the hospital in Watertown.



     Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Military graveside honors will be provided by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion and Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Watertown, and the US Navy Military Funeral Honors Team.  Pallbearers will be Donald Palmer, Todd Klaers, Josh Polfliet, Tom Palmer, Steve Davis, and Lynn Nerland.



     Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday prior to services at the church.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Friday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.



     Calvin was born on July 8, 1925, at Roslyn, SD, to Ed and Emma (Lensegrav) Nerland.  He attended country school and high school in Roslyn and Webster, SD.  In 1943, Calvin enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the USS Gratia until he was honorably discharged in May of 1946. 



     Calvin married Dorothy Crandall on January 4, 1947, at Florence, SD.  He attended telegraphy school in Minneapolis, MN.  Calvin worked as a depot agent for Chicago Northwest Railroad stations in many Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota towns until moving to Watertown in 1956.  He retired after working for the railroad for 39 years.  Following his retirement, Calvin worked for the SD Army National Guard for 14 years and also the Watertown Public Opinion.



     He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the church board.  Calvin was also a member of the American Legion, the V.F.W., and a former member of the Elks.  His favorite activities were hunting deer and pheasant, gardening, reading, playing cards and going to garage sales.



     Calvin is survived by his three children:  Linda McGrath of Marshall, MN, Sandra (Donald) Palmer of Rapid City, SD, and Michael (Rita) Nerland of Camas, WA; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joyce (Valdo) Davis, of Estelline, SD.



     He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents; one brother; and one sister.



 


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Comment posted by: Maxine German
Wed 16th Jun 2010 05:16 am
I have known Cal since I started working at Golden Living 6 years ago. I was from the Roslyn and Grenville area and since he lived in there when he was growing up, we would talk about our home towns. He always said good morning to me when I came in the dining room and we would visit when we got the chance. I will miss seeing him at Golden Living. My sympathy to his family. God bless you all.

Maxine German
Comment posted by: Kris Heinrichs
Tue 15th Jun 2010 09:51 pm
Dear Mike: I'm sorry to hear of your loss of your dad; it is never easy but something we all go through in our lives; just because a ship drops below the ocean's horizon doesn't mean that it no longer exists--it is just beyond the limits of our sight. Love is eternal. With gratefulness for the life of your dad and prayers for grace during this time, Kris
Comment posted by: Cindy Musch
Tue 15th Jun 2010 09:37 pm
I had the honor of knowing Cal (as we called him) while in activities at PLCC. Never will I forget his humor and bright blue eyes that sparkled with knowledge and mischief. I am sorry you have lost both parents but walking the halls before leaving work it was always a special sight. Cal lying on the bed, Dorothy sitting beside him and together discussing what was in the newspaper. I have a feeling they are doing it now.
Comment posted by: Ed and Bonnie Erickson
Mon 14th Jun 2010 07:05 pm
Mike, Linda, and Sandy,

We were saddened to hear the news of Kelly's passing. Through my many years of friendship with Mike, I will always carry fond memories of Kelly throughout my lifetime. May God bless.

Our Deepest Sympathy,
Ed and Bonnie
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