Honored as a State of Montana Teacher of the Year, and a highly respected seasonal Park Ranger at the Little Big Horn National Battlefield, Cliff Nelson, 48, was murdered by intruders at his home in Seeley Lake, Montana, in 1996. The crime, which shocked the community and all who had known the popular educator, became a "cold case" after the acquittal and subsequent dismissal of charges against two local young men who had been charged with the killing.
Raised on a farm in Forman, North Dakota, Mr. Nelson was the seventh of eight children and the only college graduate among his siblings. An extraordinarily dedicated, generous, and inspiring teacher, for nearly 20 years he had taught Math, English, History, and Drama to 7th and 8th graders at Seeley Lake Elementary School in Montana, where he also coached athletics. His ranger service at the LBH National Battlefield Park, which had begun in 1968, was also exemplary, and his knowledge and professionalism drew praise from the noted historian Brian Pohanka, Battlefield Superintendents, and the public at large. Following Mr. Nelson's untimely death, a town-wide memorial service was held in Seeley Lake, where a scholarship was established in his name. A devout Christian, he was buried near his childhood home in Forman, after a funeral service at the town's Trinity Lutheran Church. Predeceased by his father, his survivors at the time of his death included his mother, three brothers, four sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Raised on a farm in Forman, North Dakota, Mr. Nelson was the seventh of eight children and the only college graduate among his siblings. An extraordinarily dedicated, generous, and inspiring teacher, for nearly 20 years he had taught Math, English, History, and Drama to 7th and 8th graders at Seeley Lake Elementary School in Montana, where he also coached athletics. His ranger service at the LBH National Battlefield Park, which had begun in 1968, was also exemplary, and his knowledge and professionalism drew praise from the noted historian Brian Pohanka, Battlefield Superintendents, and the public at large. Following Mr. Nelson's untimely death, a town-wide memorial service was held in Seeley Lake, where a scholarship was established in his name. A devout Christian, he was buried near his childhood home in Forman, after a funeral service at the town's Trinity Lutheran Church. Predeceased by his father, his survivors at the time of his death included his mother, three brothers, four sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honored as a State of Montana Teacher of the Year, and a highly respected seasonal Park Ranger at the Little Big Horn National Battlefield, Cliff Nelson, 48, was murdered by intruders at his home in Seeley Lake, Montana, in 1996. The crime, which shocked the community and all who had known the popular educator, became a "cold case" after the acquittal and subsequent dismissal of charges against two local young men who had been charged with the killing.
Raised on a farm in Forman, North Dakota, Mr. Nelson was the seventh of eight children and the only college graduate among his siblings. An extraordinarily dedicated, generous, and inspiring teacher, for nearly 20 years he had taught Math, English, History, and Drama to 7th and 8th graders at Seeley Lake Elementary School in Montana, where he also coached athletics. His ranger service at the LBH National Battlefield Park, which had begun in 1968, was also exemplary, and his knowledge and professionalism drew praise from the noted historian Brian Pohanka, Battlefield Superintendents, and the public at large. Following Mr. Nelson's untimely death, a town-wide memorial service was held in Seeley Lake, where a scholarship was established in his name. A devout Christian, he was buried near his childhood home in Forman, after a funeral service at the town's Trinity Lutheran Church. Predeceased by his father, his survivors at the time of his death included his mother, three brothers, four sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Raised on a farm in Forman, North Dakota, Mr. Nelson was the seventh of eight children and the only college graduate among his siblings. An extraordinarily dedicated, generous, and inspiring teacher, for nearly 20 years he had taught Math, English, History, and Drama to 7th and 8th graders at Seeley Lake Elementary School in Montana, where he also coached athletics. His ranger service at the LBH National Battlefield Park, which had begun in 1968, was also exemplary, and his knowledge and professionalism drew praise from the noted historian Brian Pohanka, Battlefield Superintendents, and the public at large. Following Mr. Nelson's untimely death, a town-wide memorial service was held in Seeley Lake, where a scholarship was established in his name. A devout Christian, he was buried near his childhood home in Forman, after a funeral service at the town's Trinity Lutheran Church. Predeceased by his father, his survivors at the time of his death included his mother, three brothers, four sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gravesite Details
Middle name courtesy of "TJG", Findagrave member #47669800
