Andrew Grant Nelson

Andrew Grant Nelson, of Shelley, Idaho, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on January 11, 2009.  Andy battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma for three long years prior to his passing. 

Andy was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1987, to Andrew and Megan Nelson. Three years later Andy’s family moved to Shelley to be closer to his grandparents, and he was home.  Andy loved growing up in the countryside surrounding the small town, spending many childhood days with his Grandpa Bob learning the various ways kids could have fun on a farm.  He showed a mechanical inclination from a very early age and enjoyed watching his Grandpa Grant and father, both professional mechanics, repair and restore all manner of vehicles and equipment.  After graduating from Shelley High School in 2006, Andy started work on a degree in welding at EITC.  He enjoyed his classes, even though he often found that he was just as knowledgeable as his instructors. 

Andy had many interests and hobbies.  He loved almost anything that required him to be outside, including hunting, fishing, and driving his new side-by-side RV on trails near his Shelley home. He worked as a parks attendant for the City of Idaho Falls, and took pride in his work, often working even when he was feeling very ill. He enjoyed collecting guns and going target shooting with his friends and family.  He had a deep love of animals, especially dogs, and had the pleasure of befriending two exceptional specimens during his life. First there was Blue, who was a faithful friend to Andy as the two grew up together.  After Blue passed away from old age, Andy met Hank, a Rottweiler-lab mix who had escaped from the pound only to stumble right into Andy’s workplace.  The two had a close bond, and Andy drew tremendous strength from Hank during the last year of his illness.

Andy was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma nearly three years to the day before he passed away.  Throughout those three years, Andy endured many hardships, including two stem cell transplants, radiation, and chemotherapy.  As a result of treatments and his disease, Andy often felt tired, but he never let anything dampen his will to fight his cancer.  He strove very hard to maintain a normal life, doing everything from attending school to going to work, even in the last days of his illness.  He was voted “Student of the Semester” during his first year at EITC, and even gave some of his precious time to act as a test subject for a clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C.  He developed a close bond with his oncology nurses and was always grateful for their assistance, compassion, and ability to help him retain his sense of humor and good nature.

Andy’s greatest joys during his final days were his friends and family.  He continued to grow closer to his loving parents, and got special pleasure from spending time with his fiancée, Brianne Madsen.  Andy and Brianne met on a blind date two years before his passing, and she gave him the inspiration to continue his battles while learning a lot about love.  Andy was very appreciative of the comfort Brianne provided during the trying times of his illness and treatment.

He spent his final days in his family home, and was thankful for the stream of loved ones and well-wishers that came to visit.  Andy had long wanted to serve his country, and local agencies banded together to make sure he had this honor.  He was inducted as an honorary member of the Idaho National Guard in Boise, and was made an honorary member of the Idaho Falls and Bonneville County SWAT Teams.  He was immensely appreciative for these opportunities, and proudly displayed the certificates he had received from these organizations.  Andy was also ever-grateful for all the generosity the community showed toward his family and himself.  One of his final wishes was to attend a benefit dinner given in his honor by friends and neighbors.  Happily, Andy was able to find the energy to do just that before passing away peacefully the next afternoon.

Andy is survived by his parents, Andrew and Megan Nelson of Shelley, Idaho, his fiancée, Brianne Madsen of Firth, a sister and brother-in-law, Devori and Joe Kimbro of Idaho Falls, his grandfather Bob and wife Kathy Nelson of Weiser, not to mention many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  He has joined his grandmothers Roxanna and Betty, his grandfather, Grant, his uncle Grant, and his dear dog Blue. 

His family will receive visitors at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak in Shelley on Thursday, January 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M., and Friday from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M.  Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Shelley, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Children’s Inn at the National Cancer Institute (www.childrensinn.org), The Children's Inn at NIH, 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814-1509.