Obituary of Michael Dean Nelson

Michael Dean Nelson 12/9/54 – 8/8/18 Mike passed away peacefully at Cassia Medical Center at the age of 63. He was born in Orange, California on December 9, 1954 to the late Orville Dean Nelson and Sherma Nelson of Mesa, AZ. As a child the family moved to Pocatello Idaho where he attended school. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1973. He was involved in sports in high school but had a true talent for running the hurdles. He was proud of the many races he won, and the fact that he was offered a letter of intent from a couple of colleges as a junior in high school. Mike married and became a father to Tara Tracy and Shawna Nelson. He also adopted Shawna's older sister Jennifer. Mike moved to Twin Falls, Idaho where he met and married the love of his life and soul mate, Carolyn (Sellers) in 1980. From that love came 3 children, Charlie, Jacob and Kristi. In 1981 Mike and Carolyn moved to Portland, Oregon where they lived until 1993 when they moved back to Twin Falls, Idaho. Mike was a true Portland Trailblazer basketball fan. He loved attending the games and cheering his team on, and would approach anyone wearing a Blazer logo to visit about his favorite team. He proudly wore a Blazer logo tattoo on his arm, and always had at least one Portland Trailblazer sticker on his pickup. He also loved to fish. He and Carolyn spent many days on the banks of the water fishing, enjoying the quiet and relaxing time together. From 1980 to December 2017 when he retired, Mike worked in the restaurant business. He worked for Arctic Circle as a manager and district manager. In 1995 he went to work as a general manager of Perkins Family Restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho. In 2012 he went to work for his dear friend Bill Kyle, Twin Falls, of McDonald's restaurants. Mike loved helping the many employees he had over the years and is remembered as a great boss and mentor. He took great pride in the development of people and helped his employees in any way he could. He served as counselor, "father", teacher and friend to them. He enjoyed seeing his employees achieve positive things as a result of the impact he had on their lives. Mike was a very loving and caring man and a very loving husband. He treated Carolyn with such a sweet love, even planting a rose garden for her so he had roses to give her whenever he wanted. He was a very proud father and grandfather. Mike loved spending time with his boys, in school and sports activities as children, and various activities together as adults. He served as a coach for the boys sports teams, and a Boy Scout leader while they were in Boy Scouts. He spent lots of time with Kristi during her junior high and high school years and together they built a very special daddy daughter bond. He loved attending her high school volleyball games cheering his little girl on as she played. In 2010 Mike reunited with his daughter Tara. He felt so blessed to have her back in his life and treasured the time he had with her and his newly found grandchildren. Mike was welcomed into heaven by his savior Jesus Christ, his granddaughter Akasha, his father, Orville "Dean" Nelson, and his brother Chris Nelson. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, his children Tara (Brandy) Tracy, Pocatello, ID, Jennifer Nelson, Boise, ID, Shawna Nelson, Portland, OR, Charlie Nelson, Burley, ID, Jacob Nelson, Nampa, ID and Kristi (Josh) Bashline of San Antonio, TX, and 10 grandchildren Colton, Alex, Brody, Ragen, Jacey, Skylee, Kai, Conner, Jacob, Fisher and his soon to be born granddaughter Aspen, his mom Sherma Nelson, Mesa, AZ, two sisters Julynn (Brent) McCurdy, Boise, ID and Rhonda (Doug) Bailey of Burley, ID, and one brother Matt (Cathy) Nelson, Mesa, AZ. Cremation was performed by Rosenau Funeral Home. A memorial service for Mike will be held at Rosenau Funeral Home at a later date.