Steven A. Nelson passed away on Jan. 23, 2016, in Tucson, Arizona, due to complications of pancreatic cancer.

Steve was born in Austin, Minnesota, Aug. 22, 1951, to Dale and Elaine Nelson. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1969 and Austin Vocational Tech. in 1971. Following school, he farmed near Rose Creek. He later worked at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, Austin, and CCI in Rochester. Steve married Sue Daiker in 1979. They resided near Rose Creek for 36 years. They had recently moved to Tucson.

Steve was a charter member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin. He was a talented carpenter and built many projects for home and work. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t jerry-rig. He enjoyed his Z28 Camaro, classic cars and car cruises, the many friends that he made, and most recently, desert life.

He is survived by wife Sue; sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher and Jessie Nelson of Rochester, and Michael and Michelle Nelson of Rose Creek; brothers and sisters, Carol (Richard) Waudby of Columbia, Missouri, David (Sandra) Nelson of Lyle, Ann Solberg of Minneapolis, and Robert Nelson of Rochester; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Stephen Nelson of Rochester, Bernard and Barbara Daiker of Johnston, Iowa, and James and Phyllis Nesler of Port Orchard, Washington; and many aunts and uncles; nieces, nephews; and cousins.

Steve fought a courageous 11-year battle with three cancers and never complained. He is now at peace.

A memorial service will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Burial will be at Six Mile Grove Cemetery in Lyle, Minnesota. A reception will follow the service, which will then be followed by graveside services. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Steve’s name to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church building fund, or Mayo Clinic Cancer research fund.