Gary Edwin Nelson

Gary was born on November 30, 1962, and raised by his parents Vernon E. and Marie G. Nelson on a farm in Falun, Kansas. He grew up helping his parents raise wheat and hogs. Vernon and Marie spent their lives attending Gary’s functions and activities.

Gary spent his K-8th grade years attending school in Falun, KS and Smolan, KS. His memories include his teachers, school music festivals, school field trips and class road trips, making life-long friendships with classmates and 4-H. He spent 9th-12th grade at Lindsborg High School. Gary’s activities in high school included choir, FFA, band, athletics, and dancing with Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers. In his travels with Swedish Dancers, he traveled all over the US (which included a performance in Estes Park) and even a trip to Europe which included a performance for the King of Sweden.

Graduation from high school led Gary to his next adventure at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Gary got a degree in journalism/mass communications/advertising, public relations, marketing and industrial relations. He followed this with several internships, including one with Senator Bob Dole in Washington DC. This experience allowed him to open his own business in Manhattan, offering public relations, advertising, and marketing strategies to clients. Gary continued with this business until he wrapped up two important projects for Kansas State University and Emporia State University.

During his time in Manhattan, Gary began to study the possibility of entering Bethel College to study Nursing. He graduated from Bethel in 1996 with his Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree. In his first role as an RN, Gary accepted a job at NE Baptist, San Antonio on their telemetry unit. He was there almost a year before deciding to accept a travel\locum nursing assignment in Washington D.C. After some time, Gary returned to Kansas and made the leap to work at St. Luke's on the Plaza in Kansas City. It was there that he found his love of PACU\Recovery Room nursing. His next stop was Dallas, Texas, Presbyterian Hospital with more than 1000 beds. Gary was at Presby Dallas for over 5 years, before returning home due to his mother’s declining health.

Gary focused on getting the farm up to date, working within the community to better things for all. He was appointed to County Commissioner at Large for 3 years. Gary once again embraced travel nursing and headed west working in Marina Del Rey and San Francisco. His mom visited several times while he was working in California and really enjoyed it. After Marie passed away in 2013, Gary once again accepted a travel nursing assignment and spent two years in Redwood City, CA. In April 2022, Gary began his position of Director of Perioperative Services at Estes Park Health.

You would never know based on the friends Gary has made, and the good he has done for the town and the residents, that Gary has only been in Estes Park for two years. He stated many times, “this is the most fortunate landing spot in the world, I am home". His journey at Estes Park Health began with Vern (the CEO) helping him move in to his first apartment, and then he quickly became a board member at the National Western Stock Show. Gary jumped right into life in Estes by volunteering at the Jazz festival in May 2022 and his involvement in Estes just took off from there. Gary was a member of the Rooftop Rodeo for two summers and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of his involvement. In December 2022, he became a member of the noon time Rotary Club and was actively involved in the Scottish Festival every fall. This last fall, he was made an honorary member of Klan MacArthur.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Marie Nelson, and his beloved dogs and travel companions May and June. Gary was dedicated to his friends and his community. He leaves behind many lifelong friends who will miss his zest for life but will surely carry on his legacy to embrace each day with a full and grateful heart.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 23rd from 1-3pm at the American Legion Post 119, 850 N. St. Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517. Gary’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 10:00 am at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail, Estes Park, CO 80517.

Memorial contributions in Gary’s memory may be made to Estes Park Health Foundation, Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Rooftop Rodeo, Rotary Club Of Estes Park or The American Legion: Post 119 in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave Estes Park, CO 80517. To share favorite memories of Gary please visit www.allnuttestespark.com and post them there.