Leonard Sigfred Nelson

Leonard Sigfred Nelson, aged 94, of Salem, Oregon, peacefully passed to a new life on January 1, 2026, after a long and full life. He was a loving, generous husband and father who tirelessly supported his family, had a deep Christian faith, loved the outdoors, and was passionate about protecting the environment and advocating for peace and social justice.

He was born in Anaconda, Montana, on April 14, 1931, to Arthur and Ellen Nelson. He graduated from Anaconda High School in 1949. After two years at the University of Montana in Missoula, he transferred to Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. In August 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Bonita “Bonnie” Roffler. He graduated with a BA in 1953 and entered Augustana Seminary that same year. He interned at First Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from the seminary in 1957 and was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in June 1957 at the national church meeting.

He served as pastor at First Lutheran Church in Moscow, Idaho, 1957-1961, and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, Washington, 1961-1966. In 1966, he became associate pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon, and served for three years. He went back to school and earned a master’s degree in sociology from Portland State University and taught at several colleges in the Salem area over the following years. For two years he was a counselor at Mount Angel Training Center for people with disabilities. After completing his chaplaincy requirements, he served as chaplain at San Ramon Medical Center in California, 1990-1996.

Following his retirement, he and Bonnie moved back to Salem, where he remained active in the community. He was the land use chair for the South Salem Neighborhood Association, attended the Institute for Continued Learning (ICL) at Willamette University, and supported many environmental and progressive causes. He loved to lead Bible studies at St. Mark Lutheran Church and led many other parish activities. He and Bonnie enjoyed attending Pentacle Theatre and the Oregon Symphony, and traveling to Japan, Sweden, Europe, Greece and Alaska.

He reveled in his Swedish heritage and continued the traditions with his family. Fun-loving and quick to joke or tease, he brought smiles to those around him. He was an avid skier, competing in slalom and long-jumping in high school, and taught his kids to ski at an early age. On annual trips to Montana, he taught them to fly fish, and he took the family on many camping trips. He climbed Mt. Hood with son Kris.

He is preceded in death by his older brother Harold and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Bonnie; daughter Linnea; sons Kris and Arne (Robin); granddaughters Catey and Courtney; and nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church at 790 Marion St. NE, Salem, Oregon, 97301, on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 2 p.m. Remembrances can be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church (www.stmarksalem.org) and Helping Hands Resources, a local nonprofit providing free clothing and household goods to anyone in need: www.helpinghandssalem.org; PO Box 3363, Salem, OR 97302.