NELSON, Ervin Lindsay 1947 – 2025

Ervin Nelson (1947-2025)

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather and friend Ervin Nelson. He was the second child to David and Ethel Nelson of Wishart SK and is survived by his loving wife, Colleen, of 56 years and 2 children Ryan(Joy) Nelson of Killarney, MB, Amy(Noel) Flitton of Champion, AB and his grandchildren Dylan, Lexie, Annabelle and Aubrey. He is also survived by his older sister Lavina Dick of Kamloops BC and younger brothers Barry (Linda) Nelson of Regina, SK and Garth (Edith) Nelson of Saskatoon, SK.

As I sit here I am finding it really difficult to sum up a life that was well lived and full. Dad loved adventures and new experiences. He was a handyman in many areas of his life…farming for 40+ years with his dad, driving trucks on the ice roads in Northern BC, driving grader for the municipality, and building pontoon fishing boats.

Dad grew up on the farm outside of Wishart, SK and started his schooling at Larissa’s one room school house until he was in grade 8. There are many stories about riding his horse to school or taking the cutter sleigh in the winter. After attending Wishart school for grade 9 he went away to Weyburn, Sk. for boarding school at Western Christian College and graduated high school in 1965.

Dad loved to drive and his most common sayings were “are we ready to go?” Or “lets go for a drive…”. One time he said that to mom and they ended up in Alaska! When we were young there were many days when we would head out for a drive and they wouldn’t tell us kids where we were going and we would end up 3 hours north at my grandma’s place just for a visit then we would drive home. He was always willing to drive anywhere in Canada to watch his granddaughter Lexie play softball. He and mom drove all the way out to Toronto for the Nationals to watch her.

He made many trips from Saskatchewan to his beloved Texas where he spent 4 years going to university from 1965-1969. And that is where his bucket list started. He decided he wanted to drive in every province in Canada and every state in the US. He almost made it to his goal and only missed Newfoundland and the 2 of the territories in Canada and Rhode Island and New Hampshire in the US. Even after he moved into Extendicare in Vulcan he kept asking to drive to Newfoundland.

Some of dad’s favourite adventures were his mission trips. He and Colleen travelled 3 different times to Guatemala to dig wells for clean drinking water with Living Water International, and he went once on his own to Rwanda. He also went with Ray McMillan and the Canadian Heart Warmers for 6 weeks to India in 2016. Dad’s faith was a pillar for many and his desire to learn more about God and share his faith with people all over the world will forever be an encouragement to all.

Another venture of theirs, that he was so proud of, was building a fishing operation on Big Quill Lake with his cousin Ken and Linda Waite. They spent many hours/days and endless cups of coffee together planning and dreaming until they had their boats floating successfully and for a few years he was a farmer and a commercial fisherman.

In 2021, we noticed dads dementia progressing and he and Colleen moved to Champion AB to be close to Amy. Dad was willing to leave Wynyard/Wishart area that has been his home for 70+ years and experience a new community where he could see the mountains on a regular basis.

We will miss you Dad! Now you know all the things and we will see you again.

Celebration of Life to be held at the Champion Congregational Church in Champion Alberta on March 15, 2025 at 1 pm. Lunch to follow.

Internment at a later date.

In leu of flowers please donate to your local food bank.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 403-485-2633. Email condolences
through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.