Bernard “Bernie” Nelson, 93, of Valentine, NE, formerly of Platte, SD passed away Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine. Funeral Services are 10:30 A.M. Friday, June 22, 2018 at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Platte. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at LaRoche Cemetery rural Academy, SD. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Mount Funeral Home in Platte with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service. Bernard G. Nelson (“Bernie” or “BG”) was born on March 12, 1925 in Gann Valley, South Dakota to Paul Marius Nelson and Othelia Nickolena (Ness) Nelson. After completing the 8th grade, Bernie helped on the family farm until 1950 when he joined the Navy. During his time in the Navy he earned his GED and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954. Bernie married the love of his life, Ferne Mae Simpson, on June 2, 1957 in Bijou Hills, South Dakota. Bernie and Ferne had three children, Lyndon, Tracy and Brenda. Bernie began his career as a rural mail carrier in 1947 as a substitute, later becoming a full-time carrier. Over his career as a rural mail carrier he traveled more than one million miles on postal routes and received an award for 40 years of safe driving. Most of the time was spent at Academy and Platte but from 1974 to 1983 he was at Dolton, S.D. He immensely enjoyed traveling the country roads delivering the mail to his many patrons over the years. In addition to being a rural mail carrier Bernie was enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard where he retired at the rank of Sergeant Major. In 2001 Bernie and Ferne moved to Platte, South Dakota from the farm by Academy. Ferne was called home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in 2012. Bernie remained in Platte until 2014 when he moved to Valentine, NE for the remaining years of his life. Bernie was a member of the American Legion, the Gideons, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Academy Volunteer Fire Department, the Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Platte, SD and attended the Berean Bible Church in Valentine, NE. He also participated in a prison ministry program at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, SD. Bernie was an avid Minnesota Twins fan, loved horses, enjoyed living on the farm, fishing, relaxing with his dog, Lady Bug, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and was extremely proud to be a Norwegian. (After all, a day without a Norwegian is like a day without sunshine). He enjoyed Ole and Lena jokes and would keep everyone on their toes with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. However, what Bernie loved the most was sharing his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with whomever would listen…..and sometimes even with those who didn’t want to listen. Bernie Nelson, 93, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society, Pine View, Valentine, NE. Bernie shared his life with his wife of over 54 years, Ferne Nelson, who welcomed him to Heaven; their three children: Lyndon Nelson and his wife, Freda of Lexington Park, MD; Tracy Nelson and his wife, Lynn of Platte, SD and Brenda (Nelson) Allison and her husband, Shane of Valentine, NE; four grandchildren: Rufina Nelson of Piney Point, MD; Eric Nelson of Platte, SD; Kelli Nelson and her fiancé, Matt Toering of Sioux Falls, SD and Jessica Hanson and her husband, Tyler of Valentine, NE; two great granddaughters: Ella and Everly Hanson; along with several loved nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Greeting Bernie in Heaven along with Ferne, were his parents; his brothers: Oscar Nelson, Maurice Nelson, Kenneth Nelson, a four day old infant brother also named Oscar; extended family members and many friends. Memorials in Bernie’s honor may be directed to: Gideons, PO Box 223, Platte, SD 57369, Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, 300 W. 7th St., Platte, SD 57369 or Valentine Berean Fellowship Church, 702 East 7th St., Valentine, NE 69201.