Reverend Dr. Howard Emanuel Nelson of Peshtigo WI, formerly of Crivitz and Oshkosh, entered Heaven's gates March 12, 2015, hearing His Lord and Savior say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant". He served as Pastor and Missionary for 52 years.
He was born June 6,1926, in Pine County, MN, to Louis (Manny) and Mabel (Berg) Nelson. He grew up in the Grasston, MN, area before going into the military and served during WWII in the Army Air Corps. In 1947, Howard married Virginia Kasten who preceded him in death in 1991. He later married Diana Kostreva on Dec. 19, 1992.
He owned Nelson Well Drilling Co. of LaCrescent, MN, until God called him into the ministry in 1957. Howard attended Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, Owatonna, MN; then graduated from Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO, in 1961, with a degree in Pastoral Theology. Later he received his Doctorate of Ministry. Pastor Nelson ministered in LaCrosse, WI, before becoming Pastor of Southside Baptist Church, (Wyldewood Baptist Church) Oshkosh, WI, from 1965 to 1988. God blessed the congregation and under his leadership, new facilities were built and new ministries were established, including Wyldewood Christian School and School of the Scriptures. Couriers for Christ and Bearing Precious Seed ministries were also established to print, publish and distribute scriptures in multiple languages to over 57 countries worldwide. Rev. Nelson served as Vice-president of the WI Association of Christian Schools and President of the Wisconsin Baptist Bible Fellowship.
After retiring from Wyldewood, he founded Scandinavians For Christ, a mission work translating the KJV Bible into a bilingual English/Norwegian Bible which has been published and distributed throughout the Scandinavian countries, including copies to the King and Princess of Norway. His vision was to distribute this Bible in every home in Norway and in his fatherland, Sweden.
Rev. Nelson filled in as guest speaker for many churches, and at the age of 80, was interim Pastor at Pioneer Baptist Church, Pound, WI, for 1 year. He also taught prophecy Bible studies and was guest speaker at Klondike Community Church near Pound, WI. Howard and Diana also enjoyed playing their acoustic stringed instruments and singing at many churches.
Pastor Nelson is survived by his wife, Diana (Sanders-Kostreva), his six children: Peggy (Lawrence) Thielke, VanDyne, WI; Jacqueline (Richard) Clayton, Oshkosh, WI; Marjorie (Edward) Patrick, Omro, WI; Cynthia (Steven) Vetter, Key Largo, FL; Naomi (Mark) Widmer, Romeoville, IL; Charles (Jackie) Nelson, Ripon, WI, and two stepsons, Leonard (Peggy) Kostreva, Crivitz, WI, and Jeff (Trisha) Kostreva, Riverton, WY.
His siblings: Shirley Anderson, Mora, MN; Lloyd (Kay) Nelson, Phoenix, AZ; and Avis (Gene) Byker, Mora, MN. Also surviving are 26 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis (Manny) Emanuel and Mabel (Berg) Nelson; first wife, Virginia (Kasten), sister, Vahdah, brother, Reynold, daughter-in-law, Candace (Potratz) Nelson, brother-in-laws, Arthur (Bud) Krone and Don Anderson.
His interests included downhill skiing, and proudly displayed his 70 plus skiers club patch, which allowed him to ski free! He enjoyed playing his many acoustic instruments, encouraging, teaching others to play them, and going to gospel bluegrass festivals. He enjoyed his daily mile walks on his prayer path, praying for his family and others around the world. Howard also enjoyed working in his machine shop.
His inspirational quote to others for which he is known: "Attempt something so big, unless God intervenes it is bound to fail." His favorite verse was Philippians 4:17, "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."
Pastor Nelson's desire that everyone know and accept the salvation God gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ, was preeminent in every ministry in which he was involved. Only eternity will reveal how many around the world will be in heaven because he was faithful to do what God had called him to do.

Visitation Tuesday, March 17, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., at Wyldewood Baptist Church, 3030 Witzel Ave., Oshkosh. Celebration services to be held Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Wyldewood Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. with visitation 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. with Rev. Randall King and Rev. Bob Weiss officiating. Rev. Nelson will be laid to rest in Ellenwood Cemetery. The family has established a memorial in lieu of flowers.