Marvin "Mert" Nelson

Mert Nelson, 70, of Great Falls, a retired heavy equipment operator, died on Sunday, April 21, 2013 of natural causes at a local hospital.A reception for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday April 26, 2013 at the Frontier Inn, 3317 Vaughn Rd, Great Falls, Montana. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Mert was born on March 4, 1943 in Malta, Montana, the son of Orrin and Alma Nelson. They moved to Great Falls where he attended local schools. He went to work for Cascade County Road Department as a heavy equipment operator for many years, retiring in 1994.He married Diane Slotsve on November 30, 1963 in Couer dAlene, Idaho.Mert loved the Green Bay Packers and Nascar. He enjoyed puttering around in his garage, woodworking, and working on cars. He was helping his son Darren and his nephew Marty restore a 1978 El Camino. He loved animals, his grandchildren, and had a big heart.He is survived by his wife Diane Nelson of Great Falls; his daughter Deb (Brad) Lins of Great Falls; his son Darren Nelson of Great Falls; his brother, Ken (Dar) Nelson of Boise, ID; his sisters, Elaine Jarosik of Belleville, IL, Ethel Trainer of Great Falls, Toddy (Cliff) Steen of Great Falls, Sandy Campbell of Floweree, and Clarice (Bill) Lansbery of Boise, ID; sister-in-law Jan Nelson of Lewiston, ID; four grandchildren, Chris Lins, Missy Lins, Austin Nelson, and Brigit Nelson.Mert was preceded in death by his sister Dolores Taylor; two brothers, Richard Nelson and Gale Nelson; and two brothers-in-law Gary Campbell and Vince Jarosik.Memorials are suggested to the Animal Foundation Building Fund, PO Box 3426, Great Falls, MT59403.