Edmund Henry Nelson was a dedicated and beloved dad, grandpa and husband. He was born to Gust and Mabel Nelson on February 5, 1934 at the family homestead near Fairy Glen, SK where he spent nearly all his life. Growing up, he attended Carrot River School, biking there in the summer and cross-country skiing in winter, until he was in grade 8, when he left to work on the family farm. He came from a very musical family, learning to play guitar, bass, mandolin and accordion - a talent that enriched his life and those around him. In 1954, he married Phyllis Hendrickson. Their pride and joy, a daughter Michele, was born in 1962. They lived on the same Nelson farm where he grew up, and he built a new house in 1976. He was very proud of the heritage of the farm, having kept it in the family after the homestead was established in 1904 by his father. As a farmer, he raised cattle, chicken and pigs and grew barley, wheat and canola. He also painted grain elevators, worked at the Sask Co-op Creamery, built several houses, and did electrical and carpentry work. He was baptized at the Carrot River Valley Lutheran Church where he remained a member his entire life. He volunteered many hours with the church as a council member, and shared his talents with the church choir. His passion for music was lifelong. He was in many bands over the years, starting with his brothers and then with the Rhythm Kings, Silvertip, and Irene & the Goodniters. He was often “playing for a dance” – a wedding, a Minus One dance, entertaining residents in long-term care or performing on the CJVR Free Stage. He shared his love of music with Michele, and eventually with his grandchildren, Angela, Jennifer and Corey who all learned to sing, often with his accompaniment on guitar. Many hours were spent playing mandolin and guitar with Corey – something that filled him with immense pride. He was thrilled to learn the next generation of Levi and Brynlee were learning guitar and violin too. He loved us all deeply! He loved the outdoors, whether that was farming, trapping, hunting moose and deer, or fishing. These trips usually involved socializing with cousins and friends. Summers were spent at Lower Fishing Lake and Waskesiu when he wasn’t seeding or harvesting. He also curled at the Fairy Glen Curling Club, and in later years, never missed a curling match on TSN. In fact, he was an avid reader, and never missed anything in the news at all! An active member of the community, he served 50 years on the Fairy Glen Co-op Board of Directors. Attending the Federated Co-op Convention was a highlight for him and Phyllis each year. He was a councillor on the R.M. of Kinistino for several years as well. He enjoyed his second career working for Hodgins Auctions setting up outdoor tents for auctions and events. He travelled all over Saskatchewan, with Phyllis often along for the ride. Many conversations with his family included the words, “I had a tent there once!” His memory was incredible – if we couldn’t remember a detail about something or someone we’d just “go ask grandpa!” He lived on the Nelson family farm until he moved into Melfort in 2012 after Phyllis passed away. In 2017, he travelled with Michele and his grandchildren to Nashville. It was a dream come true when he got to stand on stage of the Ryman Auditorium, play Buck Owen’s guitar and sit on Ernest Tubb’s tour bus! Edmund passed away on November 29, 2020 at the age of 86. He is survived by his daughter Michele Nelson (Darren), grandchildren Angela Bethune (Grant), Jennifer Hill (Chad) and Corey Hill (Tasha), and great-grandchildren Levi, Brynlee, Atticus and Presley and step-great-grandchildren Noah, Branson and Meadow. He is also survived by his sisters Elaine Holmstrom, Sylvia Kellington, June Bailey, and sister-in-laws Sylvia Nelson and Elaine Nelson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Phyllis and infant sons Kimberly and Michael; his parents Gust and Mabel, his sister Martha (Andrew) Anderson, and his brothers Gilbert, Manfred (Jean) and Fingal Nelson. We know the music in Heaven sounds a little bit sweeter with him there. Memorial contributions in memory of Edmund may be directed to the Northern Lights Blue Grass & Old Time Music Society P.O. Box 443 Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 3L6 and / or a Charity of Choice. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Edmund Henry Nelson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.