Evert Justin Nelson Jr was born in Willmar, Minnesota, on April 2, 1985 to Evert Nelson Sr. and Katherine Johnson. He grew up in Montevideo before moving to Barnesville, Minnesota, when he was 9. As a child, he was always outdoors, loved to fish, or as he said “go beeing” and would take anything apart and though he attempted to put them back together, they never seemed to work again. EJ was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He attended Barnesville school while living with his foster parents, Jerry and Bev Ames. EJ loved participating in many different sports, especially football and he was in Boy Scouts, going on to accomplished his Eagle Scout projects. In 2004, EJ moved to Montevideo and he graduated with the Montevideo High School Class of 2004.
EJ met the love of his life, Kayla and together they had a son, Karson, who was EJ’s pride and joy. He was fortunate to be a stay at home dad to Karson and together they made many cherished memories. The two were together in everything they did, you could find them driving around and going to visit family and friends. EJ was a proud Dad who loved to cheer Karson in whatever activity he did. Kayla and EJ moved many times through the years before becoming proud home owners in 2017.
EJ enjoyed watching football, “Go Vikes”, as well as other Minnesota sports teams. He was a master at the barbecue and would season anything to perfection. EJ loved to go camping and enjoyed other recreational activities.
EJ is survived by his queen, Kayla Anspach of Wood Lake; son, Karson Nelson of Wood Lake; father, Evert (Sharon) Nelson Sr. of Pennock; sisters, Jessi Sue Aase of Montevideo, Jennifer DeJesus (Mark Hook) of Tyler, Sara Seaberg (Karla) of Tracy, Antoinette Torres (Darwin) of Willmar, Erica Nelson (JD) of Pennock; step sisters, Delores Valdovinos of Richfield, Carrie Coffman of Willmar, Scott Trevino of Willmar; nieces and nephews, Lilya, Emma, Gavin “Bubba”, Nevaeh, Jonathan, Kyah, Adynn, Jaxon, Gabriel; foster mother, Bev Brutevold; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.
EJ is preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Johnson; maternal grandparents, Alden & Burnet Aase; paternal grandparents, Vernon Nelson, Donna (Art) Gerdes; foster father, Jerry Ames.