Lance Carlton Nelson

Lance C. Nelson, 83, of Alstead, New Hampshire, passed away on March 12, 2026, after losing his battle with Leukemia.

Lance was born on February 23, 1943, to Carlton and Margaret Ruth Nelson in Drewsville, New Hampshire. He served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years, plus 2 years in the reserves from 1962 to 1968. He met his wife, Dottie Woodard Harlow, in February 1966. They were married on October 8, 1966, and had 4 children together: Allan Nelson (son), Dawn Porter (daughter), Robin Nelson (daughter), and Richard Nelson (son). He also has 2 stepchildren: Dale Harlow and Lori Harlow-Rawson. Dottie worked at Green Mountain Paper, and Lance worked at MPB in Keene, New Hampshire, when they met. The day they got married, they moved to California.

Lance and Dottie met a pastor in the apartment building where they lived in California and were led to the Lord in June 1967. Lance attended Southern California College for pastoral training for one semester before sensing the Lord’s leading back to New Hampshire for three years. They moved back to California, where Lance worked for a welding company before starting his own steel fabrication business. They moved back to New Hampshire in 1987, where he continued his business. He spent 35 years running his business.

Shortly after returning to New Hampshire the last time, they got involved with Charlestown Foursquare Church, where they served in various capacities for a number of years. They seasonally camped in Hancock, New Hampshire, where in 2006, they began church services at their campsite. In 2009, Lance received his pastoral license with the Foursquare Church, and he became ordained in 2018. He served as camp pastor for about 10 years. In 2016, he became assistant pastor at Life On Main, where he continued to serve for the rest of his life.

Lance was predeceased by his mother and father, Carlton and Margaret Ruth Nelson; his brothers William and Lincoln Nelson; and his sister Kathy Griffin. He will be deeply missed by his loving family: his wife, Dottie; his children, Allan Nelson, Dawn Porter, Robin Nelson, and Richard Nelson, Dale Harlow, and Lori Harlow-Rawson; his sisters, Carla Monk and Margo Perry; as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 12, 2026 at Life On Main Church, 223 Old Springfield Road (inside the Charlestown Senior Center), Charlestown, New Hampshire at 1:00 PM. Pastor Timothy Golden will be officiating the ceremony.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations may kindly be sent to Greater Things Ministries through their website at greaterthingsministries.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, Brattleboro, Vermont.