LONGVIEW, WA (February 4, 2013) – A memorial service was conducted for retired Evangelical Covenant Church Pastor Lars Edward “Ed” Nelson on January 12 at Calvary Community Church. Nelson died December 30, 2012.

A burial service and interment was held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on January 7.

Nelson, 98, was born June 17, 1914, in Bessemer, Pennsylvania, to John and Gerta (Carlson) Nelson. He graduated from North Park College in 1939 and North Park Theological Seminary in 1943.

Nelson married Florence A. Anderson on June 18, 1944. They served Covenant churches in Malden, Massachusetts, and New London, Connecticut.

In 1952, Nelson entered the U.S. Army as a chaplain and served in Korea. He went on to serve in posts around the world for 20 years.

After completing his military service, Nelson served on the North Park College staff while also pastoring Covenant congregations in the Edgewater and Austin neighborhoods of Chicago, Illinois. He later served churches in Frisco, Colorado, and Ballwin, Missouri.

The couple moved to Longview in 1987. She preceded him in death in 2003.

Survivors include his daughter, Pris Padilla of Lakewood, Colorado; a son Dr. Tim Nelson of Longview; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to North Park University.