Ivan Theodore Nelson

Ivan Theodore Nelson, born into a service-oriented Adventist family on June 13th, 1934, attended Adventist Foothill Elementary School, where he first met Donna Buckendahl, the lively scholar who would someday become his beloved wife. Continuing his education at Pacific Union College Prep School, and then Pacific Union College until 1958, he combined industry, reliability and a subtle and creative sense of practical jokes.

His bookkeeping and accounting skills came into use as he worked at the St. Helena Sanitarium and Hospital, but a hospital stay meeting an attractive young nurse brought him and Donna back together, leading to a Valentine’s Day engagement in 1956 and a Christmas wedding in December of that year at the Deer Park Adventist Church. Their first child, Bruce, arrived December 1957 while Ivan was attending Pacific Union College and Donna worked in the Operating Room.

Ivan continued his education at Walla Walla College, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Accounting and Business, and would employ his skills in careful research and business office practice with integrity for the rest of his career.

First fulltime employment as Bookkeeper at Lodi Adventist Academy from 1959-1967, and welcoming daughter Cindy in 1960, they moved to San Fernando Academy after the birth of their second son, Tim in Lodi in 1961.

But a new area of adventure opened up as the family moved to Ghana, West Africa, where Ivan served as Assistant Treasurer and Auditor of the West African Union Mission, auditing, and training nationals during a time of political strife.

Their third son, Don, was born in 1969. Donna and Ivan served with distinction in Ghana until 1972. Back in the States, Ivan finished a MBA at Andrews University, and then took up academy business management at La Sierra Academy from 1973 to 1982, when he was invited to join the Southeastern California Conference Treasury Department as Assistant Treasurer. His service was earmarked by his patient kind demeanor and thorough attention to detail and accuracy.

Retiring in 1999 but still mentoring on a part-time basis where his expertise was frequently called for, Ivan continued his joy of RV-camping, gardening, and enjoying his expanding family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He passed away May 19, 2014 in Loma Linda, surrounded by loving family, resting in the Blessed Hope.

He is survived by his wife Donna Nelson, sons Bruce, Tim and Don; daughter Cindy Norton, sister Eva Coffee, four grandsons, five granddaughters and three great-granddaughters.