NELSON - Ernest William "E.W." Nelson age 85 years of Frontier, SK, died on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at the Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre at Shaunavon, SK. Ernie was born on the family farm northwest of Frontier in the Wrightville District on August 15, 1924, to William and Veronica Nelson. He attended Wrightville and Ridgely schools. After his school years he worked for various farmers in the area including his Uncle Everett Grundler. In the winters he worked in bush camps in British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. In 1946-47 he worked for the PFRA in the Eastend and Val Marie areas and also started dating Lillian Bolte, the future love of his life. In the winter of 1948-49 Ernie moved to Edmonton, Alberta where he took courses in automotive diesel and welding. In the spring of 1949 he came back to the southwest and operated a motor grader for the RM of White Valley. In November of 1949 he and Lillian married and in March 1950 they boarded the train in Frontier for Edmonton, Alberta where Ernie worked as a mechanic for C and C U-Drive. In April of 1951, Steve was born in Edmonton and two weeks later they were on the train back to Frontier and the Bolte farm where they lived and farmed for the next 50 years. In 1954 Brad was born and in 1956 Kathy was born and their family was complete. Ernie served on many community boards while his family grew up - RM of Frontier (30 years), Frontier Credit Union, Frontier Museum, Frontier Housing, United Church Board, Health Region #1, Frontier History Book, to name a few. Somewhere, at sometime, Ernie developed a passion for the restoration of old farm equipment - particularly old John Deere tractors. He spent hours and hours working in his shop tearing down, repairing, and rebuilding tractors - until 2001 when his energy and eyesight no longer allowed him to do what he loved. In 2002, Ernie and Lillian moved off the farm into Frontier and "officially" retired. Ernie loved his family and in particular he liked having the grandkids around to show them things that they shouldn't be doing! In the last few years he added the great grandchildren to his attention list - wanting to have them around as much as he could. He was predeceased by his father William in 1965; his mother Veronica in 2003; brother Robert in 1998; sister Margaret Marshall in 2004; brother Thomas (Bud) in 2008; brother-in-law Lamar Evenson in 1981; sister-in-law Bessie Nelson in 1974; and great granddaughter Sydney Johnson in 2002. He is survived by his wife Lillian; son Steve (Marilyn) of Frontier, granddaughter Melanie Johnson (Mike) of Swift Current and great grandchildren Hali, Nelson and Hunter, grandson Chad of Frontier, and grandson Clinton (Megan) of Bonnyville, AB, and great grandson Xander; son Brad (Gail) of Frontier and grandson Jared (Jaimie) of Frontier, great granddaughters Naomi and Kali, and granddaughter Jobi Regier (Duane) of Swift Current and great granddaughter Naimy; and daughter Kathy Pidwerbesky (Ed) of Saskatoon and grandsons Kristopher and Zachary; his sister Louise Evenson of Shaunavon; sisters-in-law Margaret Nelson and Carolina Nelson, both of Shaunavon; brother-in-law Cecil Marshal of Nanimo, BC; as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. United Church Funeral Services were held on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. from Bethel Lutheran Church in Frontier with Minister Shelby Kinrade officiating. Special music was provided by Reed Miller and Marilyn Widdifield. Interment preceded the funeral service at Ridgely Cemetery at Frontier. Binkley's Funeral Service of Shaunavon (www.Binkleys.com) was in charge of the arrangements. Honorary Pallbearers were Rod Evenson, Ray Dube, Vic Vasseur, Roy Thomson, Cliff Havervold, and Cliff Evenson. Pallbearers were Warren Fossum, Garry Fossum, Barry Vasseur, Owen Vasseur, Steve Erickson and Greg Gryde.