Nels Buddy Edward Lien, aged 82, died peacefully in the company of his family on Weds Jan 30 at Eventide, Jamestown. Nels was born on February 17,1936 to Norton H. and Ida (Whitney) Lien in Corwin township on a small farm just west of Ypsilanti, during a severe blizzard. The local veterinarian delivered him as the doctor was unable to reach the farm during the storm. Only a small windmill remains in the location.

13 months following his birth, his mother died of cancer and after spending a short time with his grandparents, Ed and Edith Whitney, Nels went to live with his aunt and uncle, James and Avis Lien, who raised him as their own along with their daughter Betty.

From a young age, Nels was drawn to agriculture, working for Jim, his grandpa Ed, and Kenneth Gehlhar. Even in his high school years, Nels began designing and building his own equipment and excelled at welding.

After graduating from Jamestown High school in 1954, Nels joined the United States Army where he specialized as a signalman and a Tellex decoder. One of his favorite assignments was working in the vaults at Fort Knox. Nels was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned home where he drove milk truck for Bill Brusso. Nels drove the ?rst double tanker trailer in the area from Jamestown to Cass Clay Creamery in Fargo daily.

In 1960, friend Jimmy Purcell introduced him to Harriet Gatz, a farm girl from Merricourt who was working as a book keeper for Farmers Union Oil in Jamestown and they were married on October 14th, 1962 at First UMC in Jamestown.

After living in Jamestown for a short time the two moved back to the Ypsilanti area to begin farming and lived on various different farmsteads in the area, they began establishing their own homestead in 1968 with a barn and a home followed on the site in 1971. Nels and Harriet have continued to live on this farm to the present day.

In December of 1963 the ?rst of three children was born, Lauri Ann, followed in 1969 by Linda Kay and in 1979, Dustin Edward was born. Nels continued to farm and raise Shorthorn cattle until his failing health no longer permitted it in 2012.

Nels was proud to serve on the Montpelier School Board, the Ypsilanti Equity Elevator board, the Ypsilanti Township Board, and Ypsilanti and Montpelier Lutheran Church councils for several decades. Nels had no hobbies to speak of as his family and farming were the loves that ?lled his life.

In the last months of his time on earth, it became necessary for Nels to become a resident of the Eventide Special Care Unit in Jamestown. His family wishes to thank all the staff there for the immeasurable love and care they showed him throughout his stay there.

Nels is survived by his wife Harriet, children, Lauri Ann (Troy) Olson, Cooperstown, Linda Kay (Warren) Zenker, Gackle, and Dustin Edward (Lucinda) Lien, Ypsilanti. six grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren Sisters Shirley Grondahl, Bismarck, Betty Sprenger, Anaheim, CA, half-brothers Norman Lien, Bismarck, Palmer Lien, Jamestown and several nieces and nephews who have fond memories of visits to the farm.

Nels was preceded in death by his parents, aunt and uncle, one sister, Phyllis, brother-in-law, C.R. Grondahl, and special cousin Larry Lien.

Visitation will be 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Eddy Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 6 at Montpelier Lutheran Church, Montpelier, North Dakota with Pastor Kerry Boese officiating. Burial will take place in the spring at James Valley Cemetery, Ypsilanti, North Dakota.

Arrangements are in the care of Eddy Funeral Home.