Timothy J. Nelson
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Timothy Nelson, 68, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at his home with his wife by his side and surrounded by other family and friends. He peacefully entered glory to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born April 7, 1950 in Rush City, Minnesota, the son of Wilbert and Hannah (Johnson) Nelson.
Tim attended schools in Cook, MN and Virginia MN. He then completed two years at Mesabi Community College in Virginia, as well as additional studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Tim had a natural God Given ability to create and maintain electrical and mechanical devices during his careers at various jobs.
Early on Tim was the designer and builder of the early automated machines of his father’s business, Nelson Wood Shims (located today in Cohasset, MN). Nelson Wood Shims can be found in many home centers across the nation today. He was his family’s carpenter, plumber, electrician, auto mechanic and a “jack of all trades”. He was a creator, an inventor, and a maker. Tim was a self-made man. He built houses, machines, robots, and assembly lines. He cared for a family of eight at the expense of his own health. He was a tough strict man who stood by his beliefs. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him well.
He married his wife Pamela (Burleigh) April 27, 1973 in Eveleth, Minnesota who continues to live in their rural home in Lawrence, Kansas. They shared 45 years together.
Timothy was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Loren.
His survivors include his children, Paula (Steve) Runyan, Matthew (Anavel) Nelson, Daniel (Laura) Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Leah Nelson, Nathan (Rachel) Nelson, brother Stephen (Sue) Nelson; and nine grandchildren.
The family wishes to offer a most sincere and personal “Thank You” for the years of care he received from the Center of Transplantation at the University of Kansas Hospital. The family also thanks the Visiting Nurses Association of Lawrence, Kansas. They are a very special team who has ministered lovingly to the entire family.
Memorial Contributions may be given in Tim’s name to The Center of Transplantation at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas or to the Lawrence Bible Chapel of Lawrence, Kansas. Or, for convenience, gifts can be sent to Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 where your gift will be forwarded according to your wishes.
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
We lived in Tim’s house (purchased from him in 1975, Gilbert, MN). We became part of his family through marriage (his daughter Paula married our son Steve). Our lives and hearts have been closely entwined for almost 50 years. We’ll miss Tim, a man of outstanding ability, strong belief, and unwavering determination.
Sorry to read about your loss, Pam. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My sister Bette and I have many happy memories of our growing up years spent with the Nelson family at the Cook Covenant Church, Cook, MN and visiting back and forth in each other’s homes. We had a lively game of PIT a few times. We send our
sincere condolences to Tim’s family and are glad to know that he kept the faith that we all strived to hold in our hearts from our youth. Blessings to all his family.
Janette Gordon Takala
Iron, MN
So very sorry Pam and all your family in the loss of Tim. I am a first cousin of Hannah , have lived in Cook all my life and attended the Covenant church in cook with the Nelsons. I Did see the small obit in Virginia paper but not connecting it to this Tim until a friend of mine brought it to my attention . I tried to remember if you and Tim were up a couple of or more years ago when they had the small service at the Cook cemetary for Loren. Our thoughts and prayers with you at this time.
Our love to all of you,
Pam, I am so sorry to hear of your loss with the passing of your husband Tim. My prayers are with you.
Mary Petrich Shields
Pam
So sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family
CynthiaPeterson Hadrava
I just happened across this Obituary for Tim in the Mesabi Daily News. Tim and I were great friends in our early teens when we were classmates at the Cook School. This weekend we are having our 50th Class Reunion of the CHS Class of 1968. Tim would have been part of this graduating class had they not moved to Britt while he was in his teen years. Like happens so often, we lost track of each other and haven’t seen each other for years. Even in his younger days Tim was always working on some kind of project. I remember both of us removing the transmission from a 1927 Chevrolet at my Grandmothers house– Tim was building a lawn tractor and needed parts. I also remember Tim pulling me on my bicycle behind his motor-scooter when the rope got wrapped around the tire and I went over the handle bars onto the road! He was a great guy back then, I wish we could have stayed in touch. I think of him everytime I am in a lumber yard or hardware store and I see Nelson Wood Shims, and remember where and when that company started in the garage by the rice river. Rest in peace old friend, Your work on earth is done.