Gladstone, MI
Andrew E. Nelson (Andy), age 83, of Gladstone passed away peacefully from lung cancer on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone.
Andy was born on August 27, 1941 in Escanaba, MI, the son of Hjalmar and Edna (Johnson) Nelson. He grew up in Ensign and attended Rapid River Schools. In his early years, he spent a lot of time learning from the immigrants of Ensign. The Swedish dialect he picked up was a version that no longer exists in Sweden.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 and was stationed in Germany. While in Europe, he set out to rebuild a strong connection to his extended Swedish family; a connection that has blossomed and endures to this day, with his most recent visit to Sweden in 2018. After his military service as an Army engineer, he attended some college in Escanaba. He spent the rest of his career at Mead and then Mead-Westvaco paper mill as millwright, before landing a position there and subsequently retiring as a carpenter.
Andy was a proud member of the Rapid River American Legion Post 301 and recently was awarded his 60-year pin. He was also an elected member of the Forty and Eight and joined the U.P. Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2018. A long-time advocate for veterans, helped connect many who served to necessary healthcare resources and benefits. He was also very involved in Gladstone Swedish Club.
Andy was a devoted man of service and faith and an active member of First Lutheran Church in Gladstone, including singing in their choir and in the Shades of Grey Barbershop Quartet.
Andy along with his former wife, Jolane, spent many winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona with great friends where he was active in the Mount Olive Lutheran church and its woodshop.
As a passionate Yooper and as someone deeply connected to nature and his community, his hobbies were cruising for timber, cutting down trees, woodworking, golf, polka dancing, watching documentaries, hunting, and visiting with friends and family. He enjoyed spending as much time as possible at his camp, where he lovingly built a Swedish-inspired hunting cabin from the ground up.
He was a lifelong learner and always good for a light-hearted joke, an insightful comment, kind word, helpful suggestion, and extending a hand to anyone who needed help.
Adored by his two daughters and two grandchildren and beloved by countless friends and members of the community, Andy embodied a strong, inviting, authentic, grounded presence that attracted people to him wherever he went.
Andy is survived by:
2 Daughters: Julie (Dennis) Landwehr of Escanaba, MI
Karin Nelson of Los Angeles, CA
2 Brothers: Stephen (Cathy) Nelson of Ishpeming
Stuart Nelson of Portugal
2 Sisters: Connie Salmi of Gladstone, MI
Carolyn Nelson of Ensign, MI
Grandchildren: Lukas Oswald and Emma Landwehr
And several Nieces, Nephews and Great Nieces, Nephews and Cousins
Andy is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Nelson
Family will receive friends on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 2:00 until 3:45PM at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. Military Honors will take place at 3:45PM with Rapid River American Legion Post 301 presenting. A funeral service honoring Andy’s life will follow at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Elisabeth Daniels officiating. A meal will take place in the fellowship hall. Andy will be laid to rest after cremation in the Rapid River Cemetery. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Nelson family.
Donna Folcik - Rapid River, MI
Andy’s Family,
Your dad, brother, grandpa was an amazing human being. He gave worth to everyone he ever met and truly loved people. He was always learning and sharing his wealth of information with anyone who would listen. He was a true friend and will be missed beyond words.
Donna and Gene Folcik
Lisa - Marquette, MI
Dear Karin ,Julie
I’m so very sorry to hear about your dad Passing Away. I send my Heartfelt Sympathy and Condolences to you both
Your dad will be greatly missed by all of us who loved him .May he rest in peace up there in Heaven
Love Always
Lisa Roshak
From Marquette,Michigan
Greg johnson - APPLETON, WI
I will miss the conversations we’ve had these past few months. I’ve learned a lot about our family history. Andy was one of the most generous and genuine people I have ever known.
Lisa Roshak - Marquette, MI
Dear Ksrin ,Julie it’s Lisa roshak I wanted to send my Heartfelt Sympathy and Condolences to you both during this difficult time .your dad Andy will be dearly missed by all.of us who loved him May Andy rest in peace up there in Heaven.
Sharon Roshak - Marquette, MI
I knew Andy since grade school and throughout our life. Andy was always so friendly and a kind person. We always liked visiting with him. He will be greatly missed by us and all who knew him. Bob and Sharon Roshak
John Noreus - Gladstone, MI
To Andy, the greatest neighbor a family could of ever asked for. You were such a caring, loving and great guy. I’ll never forget you. I have so many things you’ve made for us throughout the years and I’ll keep them around so we can always remember you. And Kennedi, my little girl, she loved you so much! You were so kind to her, she loved to watch you do your wood work, and was your little helper when it was time to clean up. Spent the last 10 years next to us, until we meet again Andy! With much respect and love, your friends and neighbors, John Noreus and family.
Jill (Johnson) Palm - Phillipsburg, KS
I have fond memories of my cousin Andy. We went on many adventures with his Mom, my Great Aunt Edna right beside us.
One of my many favorite memories of them both was a road trip we took from Chicago to Da UP. Andy was bringing me up to spend the summer (late 80s I believe)
with my grandparents, Gunnar and Betty Johnson. I was spoiled beyond belief by the time I got up North. If there was something that caught my eye, Andy insisted I have it.
Looking back, I’m sure he was ready for a set of ear plugs within the first hour of the trip. Aunt Edna and I chatted the entire 8 hour ride up.
I also enjoyed sitting around the table or walking the farm hearing about our ancestry, the Swedish culture,his childhood stories, the adventures and shenanigans that
Andy and my Papa Gunnar had shared.
I never heard him speak a bad word about anyone when I was around. Always giving and helpful. The world is a little less brighter now without Andy. I’ll never forget his big smile (especially when he would joke with me or others) and his Swedish Yooper accent!
To Andys daughters and siblings, my heart, prayers and love go out to you during this sad time. You had a remarkable and well accomplished Father/Brother. There will never be another Andy. How blessed are we to have known him and related. God Bless
Ron and Barbara Ball - Gladstone , MI
To the Nelson family:
We will never forget Andy sharing his joy of music, singing songs in Swedish for the congregation. Andy was a kind, gentle man..always willing to lend a hand. We’ll surely miss him.
Ron and Barbara Ball.
Bill Ehrhardt - Apollo Beach, FL
Julie & Karin,
I just learned of Andy’s passing and am deeply sorry for your(and the rest of us) loss! Your Dad was a genuine friend that was ALWAYS available to lend a hand when needed, many times helping, in my case, when I wasn’t even aware that I could use the help. I thoroughly enjoyed his humor and the time we spent together engaging in “camp” talk, singing with Shades of Gray and a multitude of church work. Again, my sincerest condolences to you guys, your Dad will be missed!
Lori Nelson - Marquette, MI
Some of the many special things about Andy: My parents often referred to how great Andy was at trivia games and how his many, many interests helped him do so well in that game. Andy was so proud of his camp and loved being there and being host to visitors there. His energetic dancing all night at my sister’s wedding stands out in my mind. What a great lively spirit he was on the dance floor! He had a wonderful sense of fun that was contagious. Andy was open-minded and interested in discussing all the many twists and turns of life. His positive attitude while in assisted living, learning Filipino (if i recall correctly) to converse with one of the attendants, stands out in my mind from the last time I saw him. The world seems a bit more gray without Andy’s vibrant personality. We are all better for knowing him.
David Ohman - Manistee, MI
As the saying goes; Andy and I went to different schools together. Because of our Dad’s close friendship; I feel like I’ve known Andy most all my life. I enjoyed that life long friendship very much. Andy was a must see when I got back to Gladstone. He never disappointed even when old age slowed us down. I recall when in high school, Andy stated he could never live in Rapid River or Gladstone because he could smell the coal smoke.
My sympathy to his family and friends.
Rest in peace, my friend. You have earned it.
David Ohman
Manistee, Mi
Dave Strom - GLADSTONE, MI
I’m sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. He was one of the silent warriors at First Lutheran. Always there to help me if something needed to be fixed or built. Other times to listen to my problems, or just to share a laugh. Andy was a great guy that truly cared for others. He will be sorely missed. RIP Andy.