There are very few people that have given more to their community than Pastor Ernest N. Nelson. He personifies what a true civic leader should be… a man filled with dignity, honor, faithfulness, and respect.

Ernest N. Nelson was born to Axel and Alma Nelson in Clearbrook Minnesota on Feb, 1^st, 1916. He was one of 8 children. There was 1 brother and 7 sisters in his large Norwegian family, His childhood and youth years were spent in eastern North Dakota. Following graduation from Hatton High School, he obtained a standard diploma from Mayville Teacher’s College in North Dakota. He then taught elementary school for three years in Thompson, North Dakota before attending Concordia College at Moorhead, MN, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree. In 1942, he entered Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN, to fulfill his dream of becoming a Lutheran Minister.

He served Lutheran churches at Warwick and Rugby, North Dakota, as well as parish in Madison, South Dakota, before accepting a call to serve Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse as senior pastor in 1959. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1982.

His many community activities and honors include: past president and secretary treasurer of the La Crosse Kiwanis Club, past president and secretary treasurer of the La Crosse Businessmen’s Club, member of the La Crosse Lutheran Hospital Board, member of the Boy Scouts Protestant Chaplain’s Committee, and the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center Board. In addition to that, Nelson is an active member of the Lutheran Clergy and the American Lutheran Church Councils.

Nelson and his wife, Lois, have had five children. Their oldest, Ruth, passed away in 1971. Other children are Kathryn (Richard) Schroeder, Onalaska; Esther (Rev. Thomas) Stenzel, Sherwood, N.D.; Marjorie (David) Burkhart, La Crosse, and Rev. David (Diane) Nelson, Gaylore, MN. They also have nine grandchildren.



The Club will always feel honored to have had Pastor Nelson as a friend and supporter for 22 years of active board involvement.