Bernard "Bernie" Emil Nelsen

Feb 15, 1942 -

Nov 19, 2021

Bernard "Bernie" Emil Nelsen, age 79, passed away on Nov. 19, 2021, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, from complications due to brain cancer.

He was born on Feb. 15, 1942, in Rice Lake, Wis., to Emil and Vivian Nelsen and grew up working on the family dairy farm in Hillsdale, while attending school in Barron.

After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Vietnam War, eventually retiring as a master sergeant. Towards the end of his military career, he was stationed in Alaska, where he met his future wife of 44 years, Inge.

Bernie fell in love with Alaska and chose to make it his home. He was happiest while hunting, fishing and being outdoors, and shared many adventures with Inge, his family and friends.

After retiring from the Air Force, he attended college and received an Associate Degree in automotive mechanics. However, along the way, he realized he enjoyed repairing cars as hobby rather than as a job, and moved into construction. He later became a general contractor, and successfully ran B&I Construction in Anchorage for over 20 years.

Bernie was the stalwart centerpiece of the family and seemed to know how to do nearly everything, from building a house to building a computer. When the pandemic hit Alaska, he dragged out the sewing machine and started making personalized masks for friends and family. He was also an avid woodworker and carver and was part of the Alaska Creative Woodworkers Association for several years. He was generous with his time and a kind man. He had silly and delightful nicknames for everyone and for all of his tools – like "Bambi," his five pound sledgehammer. He loved spending time with his wife and grandchildren, putting up elaborate decorations for Halloween and Christmas and vacationing at his cabin in Willow, Alaska, that he built with Inge.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Vivian Nelsen; and sister, Vivian.

He is survived by his wife, Inge; daughters, Kathy Kerner (Dean), Tamra Venator (Mike Richardson) and Patricia Davis (Russell); grandchildren, Kalen, Kieran, Greggory, Melissa, Dowain and Heather; brothers and sisters, DeWayne Nelsen (Sue), Patricia Hanson (Mervin), Carol Schnacky (Scott), Elaine Bates (Jerry) and Stanley Nelsen (Mary); "adopted" family members, Chris, Anna and Elijah Richardson, Jeanne and Jay DeBarber; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and great-grandchildren.

The service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at 1 p.m., with a viewing at noon. Burial will be in the spring.