Bruce Nelsen Papers

Bruce Gerald Nelsen was born on March 22, 1935 near Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was raised in the area on a dairy farm. After graduation from high school at Hutchinson, Nelsen studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota and the University of Maryland. After serving in the U.S. Army from August 1954 to August 1956, Nelsen returned to Minnesota and attended the Staples Area Vocational School, where he studied machine shop. He was then employed by the 3M Company from 1967 to 1968.

In 1968, Nelsen became a machine shop instructor at the Staples Area Vocational School. After becoming a Minnesota state Representative, he served as the North Campus Supervisor, when the legislature was not in session.

Nelsen was elected to the Minnestoa state House of Representatives in 1974, 1978, 1980. He served as the Assistant Minority Leader of the Independent Republican House Caucus. The committees he has served on include: Agriculture, Appropriations, Rules and Legislative Administration, and Transportation. He was a Minnesota Representative to the Midwest Council of State Governments. In July 1980, he began a three year term on the Minnesota State Advisory Council for Vocational Education.

During his years as a State Representative, Nelsen paid special attention to the importance of education in Minnesota. During his last two terms, he felt that the state’s weakening economy was a major issue and worked for decreased spending and was for a balanced national budget.

In February 1982, Nelsen announced his intention to not seek reelection this year. His decision was based on a desire to spend more time with his family in Staples. He was then employed at McCourtney Plastics in Staples, Minnesota.

He and his wife Beverly have five children and reside in Staples, Minnesota.