Eric Walter Nelson

Walt was an iron ore miner and dairy farmer in Wisconsin before leaving to serve in the Navy Seabees from 1943 to 1946. During this time, the love of his life, Velma, contracted tuberculosis (TB) and left Wisconsin to be treated in Colorado. Walt returned from WWII to Colorado and six weeks later, he married Velma in her pajamas in bed in 1946. She spent two more years on bedrest recovering from TB before they finally started their married lives together.

They raised three children and sponsored numerous Hmong and Laotian refugees. Walt and Velma’s mission in life was helping people, and they provided lodging to numerous people in need. Walt was a founding member of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church, and remained an active member for the rest of his life. He was a pillar of strength (more accurately, a load-bearing wall) for his family and community.

Walt worked in Colorado as a builder in various capacities, including 27 years pouring concrete structures at Coors Brewing Company. His carpentry skills can be seen all over town, including construction on his church. When he retired, he took up cooking, much to the chagrin of his wife, and he loved to experiment with food from his garden; his efforts were always creative as he strove to never repeat a recipe. Walt is especially known for his Swedish pancakes, birthday cakes, a multitude of pies, and continuing Velma’s practice of feeding anyone who visited. He was an avid gardener, giving away hundreds of tomato plants to anyone who stopped by. He grew up enjoying the outdoors, fishing and hunting through the age of 85.

Walt is preceded in death by his beloved wife Velma, siblings Elsie, Linda, Byron, and Melvin, and grandson Tyler. He is survived by his siblings Betty and Nancy, children Cyndi, Byron, and Brent, grandchildren Ben, Peter, Jeffrey, Katarina, Eric, and Stina, and great grandchild William.

Walt was rightfully respected and admired by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed, remembered forever, and cherished in our hearts. Even though you read this about many people, Walt’s family is certain that he was absolutely the MOST loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather in the world. Really!

Viewing at Crown Hill Mortuary on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral service at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church (WRELC) followed by lunch at the church and then the committal at Crown Hill Cemetery at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

WRELC, Matthew 25 Fund

8600 W 38th Ave

Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.