Obituary of Eddie A. Nilsen

Eddie A. Nilsen, age 77, of Greeley died Friday, November 9, 2018 at Milford Valley Convalescent Home.

Mr. Nilsen was born January 31, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY and was the son of the late Erling Monrad and Aasine (Listad) Nilsen.

He served in the Army during Vietnam.

Eddie earned his BS Degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, his Master of Divinity from Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and his Doctorate of MInistry from Drew University in Madison, NJ.

He served many churches throughout his career. He began in 1966 as a lay worker at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY, where he established a youth shepherding group. From 1967 through 1971 as a seminary student he assisted at Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. He also served as interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisbon, ND, in 1969 and 1970. He ministered at Grafton Lutheran Church in Grafton, ND, from 1971 to 1974, then Trinity Lutheran Church in Cincinnati, OH from 1974 through 1977, and St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Edon, OH, from 1977 to 1983. In 1983 he moved to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Morristown, NJ, where he served until 1997. Following that, he was the Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Parish in Dushore, PA, serving Zion Lutheran Church in Dushore, St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilmot and Trinity Lutheran Church in Mildred. He remained there until 2002 when he received his final posting at Good News Parish in Pennsylvania where he served St. Jacobi Lutheran Church in Shohola, St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Greeley and St. Mark Lutheran Church in Lackawaxen. After a lengthy and distinguished career, he retired in 2006.

Mr. Nilsen was a member of Church At Hemlock Farms. A pilot and member of the Civil Air Patrol, he also enjoyed carpentry and was a ham radio operator.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years: Randy E. (Hansen) Nilsen; daughter & son-in-law, Karen & Scott Jensen of Raleigh, NC; son & daughter-in-law, Mark & Linnea Nilsen of Greeley, PA; three grandchildren, Morgan, Mark & Kari and additional family members living in Norway.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 23rd at 10:30 am at The Church At Hemlock Farms, 1493 Hemlock Farms, Hawley with Rev. Dr. Herbert K. Jacobsen officiating.

Eddie donated his body to Humanity Gifts Registry for medical research.

Memorials may be made to Luther Theological Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108.