David W. Nelson, a longtime judge in North Dakota, died at his home in Grand Forks on January 23, 2026. He was 74 years old and had been under the care of HIA Hospice, surrounded by family.
Nelson was born in Williston, North Dakota, on April 18, 1951. He spent most of his life there before moving to Grand Forks later in life. After attending UND-Williston and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks in 1973, he pursued various academic interests including philosophy and psychology. Nelson also studied for a year at Wartburg Theological Seminary but ultimately decided to attend law school at UND, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1981.
His legal career began during the oil boom in Williston where he developed expertise in oil and gas law. However, Nelson primarily focused on family law and served on boards supporting people with disabilities and victims of domestic violence.
Nelson first served as a part-time judge for Williston Municipal Court from 1986 to 1994 before being elected District Judge—a position he held until retiring in 2016. After retirement, he continued working as a Surrogate Judge for the North Dakota Supreme Court until 2025.
Those who worked with him described him as dedicated to fairness and improving the justice system. “He constantly pushed himself to learn more and be a better judge and a better advocate for improving the systems that impacted the lives of people in the community,” according to his obituary.
Outside his professional life, Nelson was known for his passion for music—amassing an extensive record collection—and genealogy research into both his own family history and that of his wife Sherri Nelson (née Thorness). He is survived by Sherri; their sons Matthew and Stephen; two grandchildren; sisters Mary Ann Richardson and Laurie Flexhaug; as well as many extended family members.
A memorial service will be held on February 5 at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks. More details are available at https://www.amundsonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/david-wayne-nelson
