Carl Nelson
Carl Otto Nelson, a 70 year resident of Vashon Island and former owner and publisher of The Vashon- Maury Island Beachcomber, died Thursday, January 20, 2011 after a lengthy illness. He was 79 years old.
Fourth of six children, Carl was born in Pinewood, Minnesota, to Karen and Otto Nelson. The family moved to Vashon Island when he was a young boy. A 1950 graduate of Vashon Island High School, he served as vice president of the student body in his senior year. He learned the printing trade working in the back shop of the Vashon Island News Record.
After graduation Carl moved to Anchorage, Alaska, getting a job at the Anchorage Daily Times. There, he completed his printer’s apprenticeship and became a member of the International Typographical Union. He returned to Vashon and married Nancy Dahlgren, and the couple moved back to Anchorage.
The two returned to Vashon in 1955 with their baby daughter, and Carl went to work at the Seattle Times as a pressman. A son was shortly added to the family, with a second son arriving a few years later. In 1957, Carl and another Islander, John VanDevanter, formed a partnership and founded The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. Carl was very involved in the civic life of the community; he served at one time on the School Board and was also a lifelong member of the Vashon Sportsman’s Club. His partnership with VanDevanter ended in 1965, and in 1972 he sold The Beachcomber, purchasing Bremerton Printing in 1973, a company which he ran until he retired in 1993.
In 1973, some years after his marriage ended, Carl married Hazel Mosher, a friend of many years and the mother of three daughters. The two enjoyed a very happy marriage, spending their time after retirement traveling – both internationally and on long road trips within the U.S.; boating; gardening; reading; spending time with grandchildren; and basically just enjoying life.
Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Hazel; children Christine Hellberg of Seattle, Steve Nelson of Forks, and Eric Nelson (Lori) of Vashon; a brother, Donald Nelson, Vashon; well-loved stepdaughters Lisa Ridgeway (Mark), Lindy Fredrickson, and Jill McGuirk, all of Vashon; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Beneficial Adult Family Home Care – in particular Mhie, Lettie, Winnie, and Lisa Devereau for their loving care of Carl, as well as their love and support to our family.
Services will be held Saturday, February 12th, at 1:00 p.m. at the Vashon Lutheran
Church, reception following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or a charity of your choice.
If you wish, please sign our online guestbook at www.islandfuneral.com
Paid Obituary
