Hail to the chief

Bigfork says good-bye to Joe Nelson

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

As Harriett Brittenham stood at the podium in the fire hall named for her late father and spoke of how Joe Nelson had the ability to make every day perfect, it became apparent that he possessed the skill even in death.

The Bigfork Fire Hall — Nelson Hall — was packed with Bigfork residents and fire departments from all over the Flathead who came to share memories and pay their respects to the man who served as fire chief for 39 years.

"This is so heartwarming and so touching," said Nelson's oldest daughter Geraldine Johnson. "He loved this fire department. When he died on the morning of July 5 it didn't surprise any of us. He had to make sure there were no more fires from those darn fireworks."

The gathering at the fire hall, a "Celebration of Life" for Nelson, began with a solemn tribute performed by the Bigfork Fire Department including a tolling of the bell and the playing of bagpipes.

"He's back at quarters," said Bigfork QRU Captain Katie Edwards, "Safe at home."

With few dry eyes left, the celebration took a lighter turn, with family members and some friends recalling Nelson's life and all he did for the community.

Born in Kalispell in 1913, Nelson worked at the Bigfork Hydro Plant as Chief Operator and was instrumental in the growth of the Bigfork Fire Department and other departments around the state. His work designing funding plans to keep volunteer departments afloat helped him rise to be president of the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association as well as his post in Bigfork.

"A premier volunteer" was how his daughter Geraldine described him, and story after story about his willingness to help out or go the extra mile for neighbors or for Bigfork flowed from family and friends.

A recurring story, much to the amusement of the crowd, was Joe's exploits as "The most kissed man in Bigfork," according to Geraldine. His daughters rattled off his various groups of "girls" around town whether at the grocery store or the coffee shop.

But regardless of Joe's relative popularity with the fairer sex, everyone knew he only had eyes for his wife Flo, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage last year.

"I'm privileged to think that I lived in Bigfork for 70 years with the love of my life," Flo said during the celebration.

Flo also donated about $4,000 dollars to the Bigfork Fire Department that had been given in Joe's name in condolence cards or otherwise.

Bigfork Fire Chief Chuck Harris spoke about Nelson, a man he'd known virtually his whole life, and presented a folded flag to Flo in honor of her husband's service to the department.

"His priority was not only putting out fires," Harris said, choking up slightly. "But serving this community of Bigfork."

Following the more formal portion of the celebration, a reception complete with food and music allowed people to continue to reflect on one of Bigfork's finest citizens. At Joe's request, the band "Leftover Biscuits" played during the reception.

There were plenty of smiles, a fitting tribute to a man everyone remembered as being happy during his long life.

"He might have been small in stature, but he was huge in nature," Geraldine said. "The only place I think I ever let him down was that I never became a firefighter."