Steve passed away on September 12, 2018, at age 69 after a struggle with prostate cancer. He was the son of Perry John Nelson and Mary Killian Nelson Gavin, and grew up with brothers John and Mike Nelson in the Queen Anne and North Seattle neighborhoods. In the 1960s, sisters Katherine Clausen (Randy) and Angela Oliveri (Patrick) were born to Perry and Nicolitsa Nelson. In addition to his siblings, he is survived by wife Ann Larson, son Grant Nelson, and daughter Leah Nelson (Alex Kell).

After graduating from Ingraham HS in 1967 Steve joined the US Navy. He spent time on the USS Sacramento and on River Patrol Boats in Vietnam, where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. After returning to Seattle and graduating from the UW, he taught in the Northshore School District at Maywood Hills, Cottage Lake and Moorlands Elementary Schools. The teaching profession was a good fit for Steve (and twin brother Mike) because he easily communicated his joy in living and learning, and did so with a sense of humor. Post-retirement jobs were at the Museum of Flight and BloodWorks NW.

When Grant and Leah were born, Steve enjoyed nightly story time, trips to Sun River and the Grayland beach cabin, favorite music videos, road trips, and just watching Grant, Leah, and their friends grow up. In the last two decades, health problems limited Steve’s activities but he nevertheless kept a positive outlook. A less active life was still enjoyable — vacationing in Maui, taking trips to our national parks, cooking gourmet meals, playing poker with his brothers, and following sports.

A memorial celebration will be held Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 1 PM at the Leif Erickson Lodge, 2245 NW 57TH St., Seattle, WA 98107. Memorial gifts to your favorite charity.