Boyd H. Nelson

Boyd H. Nelson, 89, of Goshen, died of congestive heart failure on November 18, 2008, in his Evergreen Place apartment at Greencroft.   He was born on June 20, 1919, in Kanaranzi Township, Rock County, Minnesota, to Benjamin H. and Fern May (Everett) Nelson. He married Welma Graber in Wayland, Iowa on May 23, 1948.  She preceded him in death in 1996.   Mr. Nelson spent World War II in Civilian Public Service. After the war he served as director of Mennonite Central Committee’s relief unit in Italy.  Mr. Nelson taught high school English and music and coached drama for several years in Wayland, Iowa.  In 1952, he joined the staff of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities in Elkhart. Over the next 25 years he provided leadership first in MBM’s relief and service department and then in information services and church relations. After 1978 he devoted five years to pastoral ministry, at First Mennonite Church, Iowa City, and Bonneyville Mennonite Church, Bristol. During his retirement years, Mr. Nelson gave many hours to volunteer work for the Michiana chapter of Mennonite Economic Development Associates, Bethany Christian Schools, at College Mennonite Church, for Ten Thousand Villages, and in the Real Meals program at Greencroft.   He is survived by three children, Ben (Susan Gardner) Nelson of Goshen, Paul (Dawn Ruth) Nelson of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, and Barbara (James) Gingerich of Goshen; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Norma Johnson, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.   Friends may call 4–8 p.m., Friday, November 21, in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church.   A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22, at College Mennonite Church.  Klaudia Smucker and Gary Martin will officiate.   Burial will be in Elkhart Prairie Cemetery.   Memorials may be designated for Greencroft Foundation and Maple City Health Care Center, Goshen.