Richard Lee Nelson passed to his Heavenly Home on January 19, 2024 at age 90. He is survived by his oldest sister June Cattany, children Bruce Nelson (Kari), Krystal Finger (Scott), grandchildren Stephannie Knott (Calvin), Christopher Marusin (Jessica), Nadya Gehring (Tyler), Krista Nelson, and nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Elmira (Jan. 29, 2023), his parents, and his siblings Jeannine Herman and LeRoy Nelson.
Richard was born on August 24, 1933 in Battle Lake, MN to Francis and Viola Nelson. His family moved to the Denver Globeville Community in the late 1930s. He attended Garden Place Elementary, Horace Mann Jr. High, and North High School all in Denver. Dick started dating his wife, Elmira, at North High School and they were married on November 30, 1952 at First German Congregational Church in Globeville, CO.
For most of his career, Richard worked as an applied chemist. He served the Lord as an active leader and elder in two churches (Grace Chapel and First German Congregational Church), a Gideon for 54 years, and in leadership with Bible Study Fellowship.
A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held at Grace Chapel in Englewood on February 12th at 11:00 am, followed by a luncheon at Grace Chapel. Entombment will be at 3:00 pm at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary in Wheat Ridge (29th Ave and Wadsworth).
Richard has requested memorial gifts be given to the Gideons International Denver Cherry Creek Camp (PO Box 100624, Denver, CO 80250) or Grace Chapel Legacy fund (8505 S. Valley Highway Englewood, CO 80112 or gracechapel.org). The Legacy fund is for International Cooperating Ministries (ICM) which builds churches in poor countries.
