Roy Yngve Nelson, 92, went home to be with his Savior and Lord on October 18, 2023.
Roy was born in Chicago, IL on January 22, 1931. Roy had one sister and was the oldest child of the late Carl and Ina (Anderson) Nelson. Roy attended Niles Township HS and was a talented athlete. Roy served in the US Navy from October 1951-1955 and was assigned to the USS Furse in the 6th Fleet as a Radar Sonar Man Bosan Mate.
After military service, he married Ann (Erickson) Nelson and was married for 50 years. Roy and Ann had five children and lived in Chicago, IL, Des Plaines, IL and Crystal Lake, IL. Roy was a loving and devoted husband and father. Roy attended Philadelphia Church (Chicago), Des Plaines Bible Church, and Crystal Lake Evangelical Free Church. Roy enjoyed singing in the church choir and often volunteered with youth through Christian Service Brigade, Camp Kaskitowa and AWANA Clubs. Throughout his life Roy was a union carpenter and roofing inspector working for SNS Robbins, Gustof & Lindberg and others. Roy was always willing to use his talents on various building projects including Phantom Ranch, Silver Birch Ranch, Shiloh Youth Ranch, and Trout Lake Camp.
During his retirement, Roy enjoyed golf, travel, woodworking and reading. After his wife Ann passed, Roy married Phyllis (Speer) Nelson and moved to Burnsville, MN. Twelve years of memories were enjoyed by Roy and Phyllis as they spent time with family, traveled and served together at The Rivers and Berean Baptist Church. Roy and Phyllis were prayer warriors and faithfully lifted up their requests for friends and loved ones daily.
After his wife Phyllis passed in November 2022, Roy moved to Fort Wayne IN to live near family. His final months in Indiana were filled with many rich moments. Roy left a legacy of prayer, encouragement, love, faith, and service. He will be missed greatly. Roy's life verse was Proverbs 3:5-6.
Roy is survived by sister Elaine Haberstroh, his children and their spouses Laurie (Norm) Peterson, David (Debbie) Nelson, Dan (Lori) Nelson, Jim (Andrea) Nelson, daughter-in-law Linda Nelson; grandchildren Mindy Zurcher (Jon), Jenny Blechl (David), Brad Peterson (Kelsey), Michael Nelson (Jamie), Robert Nelson (Sydney), Steven Nelson (Diana), James Nelson, Maddy Spranger (Tim), Thomas Nelson, Molly Nelson, Erik Nelson, Mikayla Nelson, Katie Nelson, Ashley Behrens, Brandon Behrens, Jake Nelson, Daniel Nelson (Haley), Sam Nelson, and members of the Speer family. Roy was also blessed with great-grandchildren Hailey, Bria, McKenna and Caden Zurcher, James, Ryan and Claire Blechl, Logan, Avery, and Isabelle Nelson, Luka Nelson, Oliver, Patrick and Eloise Spranger and Hazel, Luna and Teddy Nelson. Roy was preceded in death by wife Ann Nelson, wife Phyllis Nelson, son Randy Nelson, and grandson Tim Nelson.
Services will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00 am at The Bridge, 946 E. Thacker Street, Des Plaines, IL. The family will receive friends from 10:30 am until the time of the service. There will be a luncheon following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Shiloh Youth Ranch or Pacific Garden Mission.