Celebrating 97 Years in Style - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Celebrating 97 Years in Style

Most people blow out candles on their birthday.
Kelli Volk has the story on how pilot Larry Linrud helped a Sherwood woman celebrate in a different way.

Birthdays normally consist of cake, decorations, and birthday cards.  
Unless of course, you are like Sherwood Resident Fern Nelson...then the celebration turns into an adventure.
(Fern Nelson, Sherwood Resident) "Name it, I'll do it."
For Fern's 97th Birthday, her family decided to help her fulfill one of her life long goals and surprise her with the ride of a lifetime.
(Fern Nelson, Sherwood Resident) "I couldn't believe it, really. When then I thought sure, I've been in an airplane why can't I go in a helicopter."
However, the secret didn't last too long.  
(Fern Nelson, Sherwood Resident) "How they planned everything without telling me.  I had to catch little things now and then."  
Throughout Fern's 97 years spent living in Sherwood, she's had her fair share of thrills.
Fern's family can attest to her love of adventure.  
(Lowell Nelson, Son) "She'll try anything....not too many mother's like her."
Taking a helicopter ride is the perfect birthday present for anyone who seeks thrills.  
Perhaps the only present that ranks above this one for Fern, is having her family along for the ride.
(Fern Nelson, Sherwood Resident) "There's so much in your life that...this is good.  I'm just glad to be alive and have my whole family around."
In Sherwood, Kelli Volk, KX News.

Happy 97th Birthday to Fern Nelson of Sherwood and a big thank you to pilot Larry Linrud for making her adventure possible.