Robert Jeffrey (Jeff) Nelson was born to Bob and Denise Nelson on July 10, 1941 in Northern Minnesota where he grew up. He graduated from Moorhead High School and Concordia College where he met his wife of 58 years, Carol.
He taught High School History in Iowa for 3 years, and then moved his family to Washington State to work for Farmers Insurance Group for 33 years. Always an active lover of the outdoors, he regularly played basketball, fished, ran marathons and hiked. His knees convinced him to become a bicycle rider. He always kept track of his miles, hiking, running, cross country skiing and bicycling, it was a matter of pride for him, and he circled the earth 5 times.
Jeff was an active member of Central Lutheran Church where Carol served as Visitation Pastor and they both sang in the choir.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Denise Nelson and his in in-laws Bert and Lien Haynes. He is survived by Carol, his son Robert John Nelson. His Daughters Laura Lien (Nelson) Gillespie and her husband Jeff. Christine Marie (Nelson) Garza and her husband Rick. His sisters Kathy Hammer (Gary) and Mary Kinney (Rick) and his Brother Mark Nelson (Barbara). His grandchildren Jacob and Jessica Nelson, Brandon and his wife Darrien Gillespie, Luke Gillespie, Jeff, Erik and Sonja Garza and his great grandsons, Jase and Hudson Gillespie.
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