Rev. Craig Edwin Nelson

BY: Staff
Posted 2/25/17

At dawn on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 Rev. Craig Edwin Nelson, died peacefully amongst his family at the Calvary Lutheran Church parsonage in Lee.

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Rev. Craig Edwin Nelson

Posted

LEE — At dawn on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 Rev. Craig Edwin Nelson, died peacefully amongst his family at the Calvary Lutheran Church parsonage in Lee. His life was dedicated to spreading the Truth of God’s great love for the world and the promise that through his Son, Jesus, we may have eternal life. With this assurance he lived his life filled with joy and love even as he discovered in November 2016 that he had brain cancer.
Born July 15, 1954 in Tokyo, Japan, to Richard and Irene Nelson who were Lutheran missionaries to Japan. His family began two churches in Toyohashi. They moved to Hamamatsu where he and his brother were home schooled by his mother. In 1965 his family moved to Sapporo, Hokkaido, where he attended Hokkaido International School. He graduated high school at American School in Japan, Tokyo, in 1972 where he was the top wrestler in his weight class in the Far East Conference two years in a row. Craig attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and earned his BA in secondary education. While studying in Moorhead he met Roxanne Eggen who he married at Riverside Lutheran Church in 1977, they worked together as J3 missionaries in Yuen Long, Hong Kong, where he taught English, history and about Jesus Christ, which he especially enjoyed. He began his theological training in Hong Kong but returned to Minnesota where he earned his Masters of Divinity at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He began his work as an intern pastor in Sheyenne, N.D., and subsequently became a pastor at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Eau Claire, Wis. He raised two children, Aaron and Tali, with his wife in Eau Claire, and was especially active in the youth ministry, in visiting infirm church members and in encouraging support for global mission work.
In 1992 he became the Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Minong, Wis., where he served for over 18 years. Pastor Craig’s ministry matured in Minong where he singularly focused on his congregation and became a pillar of the community. He spread the good news with an infectious optimism and endeavored to maintain the Biblical Truth as a moral guide for his community. While ministering in Minong, Craig met Barb Merrill and they were married in 2008 at Spooner Wesleyan Church. With the marriage he gained a loving helpmate and four step-children. In 2010, Craig became the shepherd of his current congregation at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lee, where he has been a dedicated servant to his church and spiritual and civic leader for the community. He was a prayer warrior, an enthusiastic singer, a patient listener and a trusted counselor.
In Lee he was able to pursue a lifelong dream with his wife of having a large garden that produced a surplus of fresh vegetables. He particularly enjoyed visiting the homebound and those in nursing homes who could no longer attend Sunday services. He was an avid sports fan, he enjoyed biking and experiencing the natural beauty of God’s creation first hand. Craig will be remembered for his faith in God, devotion to his family, optimism and kindness.
Special prayers should go to the loved ones that he leaves behind, his wife Barb Nelson of Lee; mother, Irene Nelson of Roseville, Minn.; son Aaron (Emily) Nelson of New York, N.Y.; daughter, Talitha (Garrick) Zinsli of Waukesha, Wis.; step-son Brandon Merrill of Spooner, Wis.; step-daughter Joanna Merrill of Madison, Wis.; step-son Pete (Molly) Merrill of Cottage Grove, Wis.; step-daughter Katelynn Merrill of Lee; brother, Bruce Nelson (Momo and family) of Herndon, Va.; brother, David (Yoko and family) Nelson of Tokyo, Japan; his handicapped sister Janice Nelson for whom he was co-guardian with his mother; sister Lynette (Aaron and family) Albrecht of Fernando, Minn.; his friends; and the members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Lee.
A memorial service will be Saturday, March 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, rural Lee with Rev. John Malone and Rev. Martha Nelson officiating. A luncheon will follow. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday, March 3, from 6-8 p.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Pastor Nelson’s family would like to thank the congregation of Calvary Lutheran for their great love and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials to ArtCry Inc., the Jerusalem Wall of Life Mural, are appreciated.