CULLEN NELSON

“Truly I say to you, today you will be in paradise with me.”  Luke 23:43

Cullen James Nelson left this life for paradise on March 2, 2025, after a long battle with a glioblastoma (brain tumor); Cullen passed at his home surrounded by family and dear friends. 

Cullen was born on October 4, 1980 in Aurora, MN to Rollin and Joanne Nelson. Cullen and his family moved to Mora, MN in 1984. He attended Mora Elementary and High School. He was an honor student and a three sport athlete throughout his high school career. He played football, basketball, and baseball all 4 years of high school. Word has it that he threw a fastball so hard no one wanted to take batting practice from him. He attended St. Cloud State University and worked at EPC after high school. He enjoyed learning and was always known for sharing his knowledge. He was a sponge; if he read something he remembered everything about it and would for years. Cullen loved working at EPC and made so many friends there. He moved to the St. Cloud/Sartell area in 2015 and enjoyed the last 10 years with the staff and housemates who all became his friends at REM. He was the most caring and considerate person. He made sure when his house supervisor was pregnant, she didn’t do any work and would make her sit down while he did the work. When the group home moved houses; change was always hard for him; Cullen told her he didn’t sell his house and it was his because he mowed the lawn. 

Cullen loved sports; he was a fan of all sports, but his passion was definitely baseball and he had to be one of the MN Twins best fans (along with his grandma Dorothy). After high school he played for the Quamba Cubs and also on a men’s league softball team with his brother Dan and his uncle Joey and aunt Stef.  He was not afraid to try anything. He enjoyed being outdoors. He loved to ride 4-wheelers, motorcycles, golfing, and playing ball of any sort. He was known to take on challenges like the Vasaloppet, a canoe race, or long distance bike race; without training. He even showed up to an arm wrestling competition and took second place one time and he has the trophy to prove it.   He enjoyed watching the Minnesota sports teams the most; especially the MN Twins. It was pretty rare to see him without a Twins hat on.  His passion for sports was reflected watching his nieces, nephews, and cousins and all of their sporting activities as well. 

Cullen loved his family and friends and would do anything for them. His happiest moments were spent with all of them. Cullen loved humor and always made sure everyone had a good laugh.  He would say his little one liners and then look up to see if you were laughing as well. 

Cullen loved God and would tell anyone of his faith in Jesus Christ. He believed in his place in heaven and was not sad or afraid of leaving this earth to be there. Cullen was preceded in death by his Dad, Rollin; grandparents Gordon and Marie Nelson, John Folkema, and Dorothy Folkema. 

Cullen is survived by his Mother, Joanne; Brother, Dan (Shana); nieces and nephews: Taitum, Landon, Makalah, Christian, and Alex; aunts and uncles: Joyce (Rick) Keller, Jerome (Denise) Folkema, Jim (Penny) Folkema, Joey (Stefanie) Folkema, Jill Folkema, and Jeff Folkema; and his step-grandmother, Kathy Folkema. He has many cousins, other relatives, and friends. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 3:00 pm at the Emmanuel Baptist Church with Pastor Eric Unger of Trio Community Church officiating.

Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 pm prior to the service at the Emmanuel Baptist Church.   To anyone attending the services, please wear your favorite MN Twins apparel or any favorite sports apparel.

Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery following the service.

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