Floyd Edward Nelson was born to Edd and Nellie Syverson Nelson in Bagley, Minnesota on November 8, 1911. Floyd’s father first farmed in Popple Township before moving to Falk Township. In the 1940 census, Floyd was an unpaid laborer on the farm.  Sister Evelyn was 13, and sister Christine was 10. Grandmother Ingebar Syverson from Norway lived with the family. 

Floyd attended Bagley Public Schools but did not graduate. He entered the Army on May 30, 1942 when he was 20 years old. He trained for the U.S. Army Ski Patrol in Virginia.

Floyd was sent to the European Theater of Operations as part of HQ CO, 318th Infantry, 80th Division. He was discharged December 30, 1945 with a Purple Heart.

He lived in the Bagley area all his life and died on April 22, 1963. He is buried in Bagley City Cemetery.