Carl R. Nelson

Carl R. Nelson, 88, passed away at his home on Saturday, May 16, 2015. He was surrounded by family. Carl was born to Swedish immigrants, Edith and Gunnar Nelson, on July 12, 1926 in Rockford, IL. Carl spent his youth in Rockford with his parents and beloved sister, Elsie, building small sail boats, riding his bike, playing with the Gustasen boys next door, and playing the mandolin in a local band. An instrument he enjoyed “playing” his entire life. In 1944, Carl enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. While stationed in Japan as part of the occupational force, the first flashes of his entrepreneurial spirit shined through with the successful creation of a laundry service, and several other ventures. After completing his military service, Carl returned to the Chicago area and began working as a stone mason. He worked around Chicago, IL and Omaha, NE for several years before eventually settling in Fort Collins and focusing on custom home building. Carl quickly developed a reputation as a highly skilled mason. These skills, along with his unique design and drafting talents, and overall construction acumen allowed him to rapidly expand his business. His unwavering focus on quality and customer service allowed him to develop a reputation as the premier custom home builder in Fort Collins. Over the years, Carl’s reputation of integrity and focus on quality only continued to strengthen. Many examples of his work exist today in the classic Fort Collins neighborhoods of Parkwood, Lindenmeier, Indian Hills and Warren Shores; to name a few. After spending nearly thirty years building custom homes in Fort Collins, in 1982 Carl decided to take a step back from full time home building and to diversify his business by pursuing a career in real estate. A decision Carl often described as the best professional decision he ever made, and one he wished he had made earlier, as it freed him to concentrate on his true passion; working with people. Carl jumped into real estate with both feet, working with several different real estate organizations before joining The Group, Inc. in 1984. Over the next thirty years, Carl worked with countless colleagues and clients; never forgetting a name, a phone number, or a client’s address. Carl reveled in answering the next phone call, meeting the next acquaintance, or reconnecting with a homeowner he’d worked with years earlier, and who had since become a friend. Carl earned numerous service awards over the years for his contributions to the community and dedication to his clients. He displayed an unwavering commitment to serve throughout his life. Whether it was working alongside Sister Mary Alice Murphy to design and build low income housing, giving a referral to a colleague, providing a recommendation for a competitor or co-signing a loan for a young entrepreneur starting a new business, Carl was always quick to help however he could. Many successful careers in and around Fort Collins can trace their origins to a gesture from Carl. Words like integrity, class, and a true gentleman are commonly used to describe Carl by those fortunate enough to have known or worked with him. Not to be overlooked or understated in any way, Carl also served as the principled, yet comforting patriarch to a diverse family of seven children, their spouses, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly. Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sharon Serbousek-Nelson. He is survived by his sister Elsie Meyer, Rockford IL; his first wife, Barbara Nelson of Durango, Colorado; daughters Pat Anesi (Greg), Telluride, CO; Sandy Nelson, Pagosa Springs, CO; and five step-children; Tami Serbousek, Fort Collins, CO; Tara Smith (John), Spokane WA; Robyn Young (Ed), Loveland, CO; Linden Serbousek (Vivianne), Windsor, CO, and Chris Serbousek (Kristen), Windsor, CO. Carl is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held on May 27, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins at 11:00 am; reception to follow from noon to 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Larimer County Food Bank, CASA of Larimer County or the American Heart Association.

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Carl R. Nelson

July 12, 1926 - May 16, 2015