Carol Lien Nelson

Carol was born to Bert and Dagmar (Lien) Haynes on Christmas Day 1941 and grew up in Butte, Mt. In her younger years she was encouraged by her father to become a figure skater, in which she became very accomplished. She graduated from Butte High School in 1959.

Carol attended Concordia College in Moorhead MN where she met Jeff Nelson, who became her husband of 58 years. The couple moved several times and eventually settled in Wenatchee, WA. Carol was a stay-at-home mom until the couple’s children, John, Laura (Hodi) and Christi were in school. She worked at a pottery shop and was very active in Grace Lutheran Church until bitten by the ski bug in 1977. She attended Wenatchee Valley College Ski Instructors Program and spent 10+ years at Mission Ridge Ski Area. She worked with Special Needs persons and attend the Special Olympics in the mid 80’s.

Carol was a receptionist at Wenatchee Valley Clinic when in 1995 at age 54, she decided to attend Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. and she became an ordained Lutheran Minister in 2000. Her decision was supported by Jeff, he even said “Well, you followed me around for 35 years, I guess I can follow you around”. Carol’s first call was in Kendrick, ID, serving Kendrick and Julietta churches. After which she took a call to Christ Lutheran Church in Yakima, WA. as lead Pastor. Carol became the visitation Pastor at Central Lutheran in Yakima until she retired.

Jeff and Carol spent many hours biking. They biked Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast and many long rides with Bike America. They traveled on several Rhodes Scholar trips, as well as trips to India and Africa. They were very active at Central Lutheran Church, especially the On the Corner Program. Carol loved music and loved to sing. She and Jeff could always be found in the choir at any of these churches.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband Robert Jeffrey Nelson. She is survived by her children, Robert John Nelson (Janel), Laura Lien (Hodi) Gillespie (Jeff) and Christine Marie Garza (Rick). Carol has seven grandchildren, Jacob (Sommer) and Jessica Nelson, Brandon (Darrien) and Lucas Gillespie, Jeff, Erik and Sonya Garza. Carol also has four great-grandchildren, Jase, Hudson and Walker Gillespie and Sadie Nelson.

A memorial service will be held at Central Lutheran Church in Yakima, WA on April 18, 2026, at 2:00pm, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity as Jeff and Carol were committed to helping others.

Carol touched many lives and her kindness, generosity and unwavering love will never be forgotten.