Steven Shawn Nelson, age 66, of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026, at CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital. Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home with a visitation held from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Steven Shawn Nelson was born in Seattle Washington on July 6, 1960 to Orville and Lucille (Watkins) Nelson, moved to Minnesota at age 3, and is the youngest of 7 children. On August 21, 2026 he went to Heaven after a long battle with emphysema and pneumonia. He passed peacefully at the St. Cloud Hospital with family surrounding him in prayer.
There are several highlights in Steve’s life he cherished immensely. To start, was his love for wrestling. In 1977, during 10th grade, Steve was on the varsity team and advanced to the state wrestling tournament bracket after winning the 126-pound regional championship with a 15-6 record. He was known for his unbelievable grit and unstoppable wrestling maneuvers! Truly, there was no one else like him. Later married to Deborah Marie (Kaufenberg) Nelson, they had 6 children of their own of whom they are both very proud, followed by 16 amazing grandchildren. Steve loved helping his children when they needed him, teaching them many skills in life; including how to fix anything, supporting each other through the storms of life, to be kind, generous, forgiving, and to have faith in Jesus. He created his own business called “The Little Scrapper” where he cleaned and hauled scrap iron for a living. Steve greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends over holidays, birthdays, and on the river for special events such as Catfish Derby Days or just to go fishing. He brought his family tubing on the lake and spent plenty of time camping under the stars while listening for the zing of the fishing line – including the soothing chatter of all the “occupants” in his boat. Steve loved so many others including his friends, parents, siblings, and many nieces and nephews while appreciating the uniqueness of each of them and he cherished the fond memories just as much as they do. Time spent with him was time never wasted as he valued all relationships with people he knew.
Steve enjoyed collecting mini Nascars with his grandsons and gifting special trinkets to his granddaughters that tailored to their personalities and likes. He loved art, drawing, poetry, country music, and crafting little sculptures made from copper wire, wood, and other materials. His organization skills were absolutely admirable, which attributed to his personality as everything was always tucked neatly into its place and had a purpose. He loved decorating for the holidays making sure the atmosphere felt enchanting and magical. Steve was a generous man who gave to those in need whether it was a place to rest, a hot meal, or a few dollars to get them by. Last but not least, the way he made people feel special and cared about even if they weren’t family is just another special attribute to who Steve was. He is truly missed and dearly loved by many people whose lives he touched. To those of you who felt the warmth of his kindness, respected him, and loved him dearly, please feel welcome to join us in his celebration of life. He was a great man indeed, deeply loved, and missed by many.
With his gentle blue eyes and habitual salute, Steven Shawn Nelson would say, until I see you again, I’ll be “Gone like a turkey through the corn, later-bye…” He is made new again with our LORD and Savior who’s holding sweet little Brayden, and fishing with Nicholas, Tim, and Stevie catching walleye after walleye because in heaven there is no limit!

Steve is survived by his children: Jami (Dustin Benson) Nelson, Christopher (Kailey Jacobsma) Nelson, Katie (Jason Bunting) Nelson, Sirena (Jeff Dahms) Nelson, and Tiffany (Willy Petersen) Nelson; grandchildren: Payton & Lexy (and their mom Melissa Prechel); KayLee-Kay; Austin & Evelyn; Brooklyn, Taylar, Tyson & Nathaniel (and their mom Danielle Zaske); Dylan, Madalyn & Aydan; Tina, Naomi & Harley; & Jaxx; siblings: Eugene (Beverly) Nelson, Donald (Barbara) Nelson, Diana (Charles) Glaser, Paula (Bruce) Andrews, Charles Nelson, and Vicki (late husband Timothy) Nelson-Luhm. He is preceded in death by his son Nicholas Steven Nelson, father Orville Jay Nelson, mother Lucille Mary (Watkins) Nelson, nephew Steven O’Jay Glaser, great-nephew Brayden William Chanthou Yos, & brother-in-law Timothy Raymond Luhm.

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” ~ 1 John 4:16