In Memory of James “Jim” L. Nelson

James “Jim” L. Nelson, age 74, of East Bethel died October 22, 2018 at home.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 26th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 19001 Jackson Street NE, East Bethel.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until the service starts at 11:00 A.M. Friday at church.  Interment Our Saviour’s Lutheran Cemetery.  Jim is survived by his loving wife, Donna, and family.

James Leonard Nelson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 12, 1943, to Leonard and Virginia Nelson. He grew up in Robbinsdale and graduated from Robbinsdale High School. Jim married Donna Lowenberg on June 26, 1971, and they made their home in East Bethel on Coon Lake.

Jim was a math teacher for 34 years in White Bear Lake; member 46 years of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. There he was long-time usher, lay reader, council member, Director of Adult Education, founding member of OSLC Hard Hats. Jim, an eagle scout, had a servant’s heart: leader of 2 mission trips to Ecuador; 3 trips to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina; flood relief to southern MN and Fargo; volunteer home builder with Habitat for Humanity’s North Central Regulars Crew. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling. Jim will be missed by many.

Jim died peacefully October 22, 2018, at home from Von-Hippel-Lindau Syndrome, a rare genetic disease at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 10 days. He was preceded in death by parents, Leonard and Virginia Nelson; and brother, Tom.

Jim is survived by loving wife of 47 years, Donna; sister, Diane (Dennis) Rickert; nieces, Anna and Kate; brother-in-law, Ken Lowenberg; church family; and close friends.