Cedric "Nels" NELSON

Cedric NELSON Obituary

Age 75 Died February 23, 2013 Preceded in death by parents, Ann and Frank Nelson. Survived by sons, Frank and Ron, and brother Cyril (Poots). Born and raised in Alexandria, MN, Cedric served 4 years in the US Army. After leaving the Army in 1949, Cedric toured the Midwest for 10 years, until he quit drinking and settled down in the Twin Cities in 1969. Nels was the head custodian at the St. Paul Labor Center until he retired in 2004. His real labor of love was Alcoholics Anonymous. He was a 43-year member of the Downtown AA Club, and co-founded the St. Paul Speakers' Meeting and the Main Idea AA Group. He served on the Juel Fairbanks board for many years. Cedric's advice to everyone was "Just be kind"—and kind he always was. He was a real friend to those without friends, and he always had time for the people others had no time for. A potluck lunch and Cedric's Memorial Call up Meeting will be held at the Alano Society of St. Paul, 520 N. Robert St., St. Paul, on Saturday, March 23, at noon. Memorials preferred to Rakhma Homes—the people who provided Cedric with a loving and caring home in the last years of his life.

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Published by Pioneer Press on Mar. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Cedric NELSON

8 Entries

Hanna J

May 6, 2013

This news saddens me deeply.

I may have only gotten to know you the last year of your life. but you really did embody kindness.

Harry Swift

March 22, 2013

Cedric was of great inspiration to me.
I can't think of anybody who gave more time&resouces quietly involved more people in the program nor who started more groups than Cedric.Thank you Cedric

Cedric enjoying a pontoon ride on White Bear Lake.

Carol Kuhlmann

March 18, 2013

What a gift to have known Cedric.
I am very grateful to have been a part of his life.

Ray McGee

March 17, 2013

Ahhh....a gentle soul with firm resolve. Topped with the courage to do the next right thing....especially for the needy alcoholic. A resource for many a person struggling to find a way to step out of addiction. And then, his mind moved on and we still had that kind and gentle soul. May we all have learned the lessons that God meant for him to teach us. Thanks Cedric.

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jim summers

March 17, 2013

Nels,thanks for all the things you taught me during our lunch hour discussions,you were a good man!

Alfred K

March 17, 2013

Thank you for your smile. You brightened our lives and many who didn't know you with your smile.

Helen Windish Azevedo

March 17, 2013

We should all aspire to be like this man.The world would be a much more wonderful place. God bless you Nels. Just reading your life story has refreshed my faith in humanity. Thank you.

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