CRAIG ALAN NELSON

 CRAIG ALAN NELSON

     Craig Alan Nelson, 67, of Elk River, MN, passed away Sept. 26, 2025. He was born July 24, 1958, in Duluth, MN, the middle of three children, to Bob and Marilyn Nelson. 

     Craig’s early life was marked both by a sense of adventure and love of sports, including gymnastics, boxing, hockey and wrestling. After Craig gave his life to Christ, he enrolled in Bible school. Upon graduating from Omaha Lutheran Bible school in 1980, Craig began his life of Christian ministry by serving as a youth pastor who was fun and relatable. His enthusiastic love for Jesus was contagious, as he taught kids how to “do the stuff” and showed them that being a Christian was far from boring.

     Craig was a force to be reckoned with, who touched many lives with his kindness, generosity and humor. He was passionate about sharing the Gospel, praying for the sick, teaching and preaching and missions. He especially loved the people of Ukraine and was in his element every time he had the opportunity to minister there. A founder of Miracles in the Marketplace, the School of Miracles & Ministry, and a youth pastor/pastor at Way of the Cross and Church of the Resurrection, Craig was tenacious in the way he ministered to people, staying in the sanctuary for hours until the last person was prayed for, and visiting the sick in hospitals and always expecting miracles. 

     A proud owner of Eagle Window (1982-2018), Craig helped build the business from the ground up with his father and brother Scott. Outside of his career, he enjoyed many activities including alpine and water skiing (of the extreme kind). In his younger days, he tested alpine skis for manufacturers to see how easily he could break them with his crazy flips and 360s. Craig shared his hobbies with his children, spending many weekends taking them to the cabin, camping, hunting, snowmobiling or pulling them behind his boat for waterskiing, wake boarding and “tube wars.” For many years, he looked forward to the annual “in-law/outlaw” fishing trip with his dad, brother, uncles and cousins. He was overjoyed when his boys were old enough to join in.

     Craig loved to tell jokes and delighted in making people laugh. In the 90s, he even did standup comedy for 10 years with Stevie Ray’s Comedy Club. He was especially known for his character, Sven, who had a strong Swedish accent and often appeared in costume to roast a family member or friend at an event. Craig was truly “one of a kind” and in his nephew, Daniel’s, words, “Craig was legendary!”

     He is survived by his loving wife, Suzy Nelson; his children, Nick (Angel) Nelson, Lauren (Derek) Craft and Bobby (Haylie) Nelson; and seven grandchildren, Jackson and Levi Nelson, Piper, Parker and Poppy Craft and Layla and Nora Nelson; along with his father Bob Nelson; brother Scott (Sharon) Nelson; and sister Pam (Mark) Hayes. 

     His extended family includes father-in-law Jim Rickard, Cesar and Anita Rios, JD and Kelly Rickard, Jennifer Rickard and Ben Dicks and Amy and Dan Monaghan, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved him dearly. 

     He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Nelson, and mother-in-law Ramona Rickard.

     A memorial service will be held Oct. 23, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Redeeming Love Church, 2425 White Bear Avenue in Maplewood, MN, 55109. The family invites all who knew and loved him to attend and celebrate his life.