Arne Wilhelm Nelson

July 5, 1933 – February 6, 2024

Arne Nelson, loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather was called to the Lord on February 6th, 2024

Born July 5, 1933 in Seattle, to Lilly Viola Adolfsson and Oscar Wilhelm Nelson, both from Sweden. He grew up in Alderwood Manor and attended and graduated from Edmonds High School.

Being the child of immigrants, Arne loved this country very much and when he was drafted into the Army he gladly served. After he got out of the service, he married Erna on August 7th, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. He moved around the corner from his parents and built a house where they raised two children, a son, Greg and daughter, Kristi.

Arne was a mechanic and good at his job. He worked his way up to Service Manager and eventually Arne and Bob Campbell became business partners - owning Campbell/Nelson VW in Edmonds. Arne never stopped learning - he took flying lessons, became a pilot, and bought an airplane. Arne and Erna traveled to so many places all over the country in that plane, often taking family or grandchildren with them.

He bought vacation property and built a cabin in Mazama where he and family members would snowmobile for hours on end. Arne and Erna eventually became 'snowbirds' and retired to Palm Desert for the winters. He took advantage of living on a golf course and joined the local golf league.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Oscar Nelson. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Erna, his two children: Greg Nelson (Lynnwood) and Kristi Nelson (Poulsbo) as well as five grandchildren: Jesse Nelson (Christina), Hollyann Nelson (Arnaud Wendling), Emily Nelson (Lauren), Erika Rinear (John) and Michael Nelson. He also had eight great grandchildren; Jesse Nelson, Alexandria Jackson, Erik Nelson, Katarina Nelson, Mickaël Wendling, Raphaël Wendling, River Rinear and Bo Rinear.

The family would like to thank Rose, Carol and Jessica from the Alderwood Adult Family Home for their care and love of Arne in the last few months of his life.

Arne loved animals, especially his little dog Nemo. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made in his name to the ASPCA or Wounded Warriors.

Death is a continuation of my life without me. - Jean-Paul Sartre

A private graveside service for Arne will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillslynnwood.com for the Nelson family.