Covenant News

Memorial Service Held for Florence Nelson

LONGVIEW, WA (August 27, 2003) - A memorial service was held last Friday (August 22) at Calvary Community Church for Florence Nelson, the wife of retired Covenant pastor and chaplain Lars Edward Nelson. Galen Conrad officiated at the service.

The 89-year-old Nelson died on August 19 at a local hospice care center. She and her husband had lived in Frisco, Colorado, before moving to Longview 16 years ago.

Born April 2, 1914, in Bessemer, Pennsylvania, to Axel H. and Signe Pauline (Nord) Anderson. Florence married Rev. Nelson on June 18, 1944, in Bessemer, where he was serving as interim pastor for the summer after finishing studies at North Park Junior College. Ordained by the Covenant in 1943, Rev. Nelson served in several pastoral roles before becoming an U.S. Army chaplain in 1951. He served for twenty years, eventually reaching the rank of Major. He later worked as a resident counselor at North Park University (then College). He earned the Bronze Star medal for his service during the Korean War in 1952-53.

According to obituary information from "The Daily News of Longview," Mrs. Nelson "was a bank teller before becoming a full-time homemaker and pastor's wife. She volunteered at church, schools and service clubs. She was a member of the Officers Wives Club, Cowlitz Historical Society, the Military Officers Association, and a lifelong member of First Covenant Church in Bessemer. She enjoyed ceramics, singing in the church choir, hosting gatherings at her home and traveling to visit family and friends."

Florence Nelson is survived by her husband of 59 years; brother, Robert Anderson of Fort Myers, Florida; sisters, Doris Anderson and Charlotte Wike, both of Youngstown, Ohio; children Timothy Nelson of Longview and Priscilla C. Padilla of Golden, Colorado; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Foundation, 1615 Delaware St., Longview, WA 98632 or the Community Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

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