Dale E. Nelson

Nelson, Dale E., 88 of Phoenix, Arizona, a gentle, kind and loving husband, father, brother and grandfather, peacefully passed away the day after Thanksgiving, November 26, 2021. We are so grateful to have a family celebration on Thanksgiving, which Dale had been looking forward to for over two years due to the pandemic. Dale was born August 23, 1933 in Newcastle, Nebraska to Arlo Burdette and Wilma (Anfinson) Nelson. He was raised on a small family farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse. From a young age, Dale worked closely with his dad taking care of the animals and tending crops. He quickly learned the value of hard work and how to fix anything. After graduating high school and attending Wayne State College for a y ear at 19 and longing to leave Nebraska winters behind, Dale moved to Phoenix in 1952. He worked for APS for 16 years and in 1968, he decided to start his own business, Nelson Candles. He married Bernadette in 1972 and working together, their business grew to become the top vendor for Wicks 'N' Sticks nationwide. After 25 years, Dale retired in 1993 selling the business to his employees. Dale was an artist, philanthropist and athlete. He was a sculptor inspi...[more]

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by Alex Archipinko. He was recognized as a Legacy Circle donor with SARRC. He enjoyed playing tennis with Match Point Tennis Club and the monthly tennis dinners with the S.H.I.T.S. (Super Hotdogs in Tennis - Nelsons, Goldbergs, Contrerases, and Buckleys for 22 years). He had a passion for golf ("outdoor chess") belonging to both Phoenix Country Club and Aspen Valley in Flagstaff for many years. He had four holes-in-ones and shot his age at 79! Dale was also an avid Valley of the Sun sports fan cheering for the Suns, Cardinals, Sun Devils and Dbacks. Dales' life was enriched with a wonderful, blended family who celebrated many holidays, birthday parties and gatherings over the years. He is survived by his wife, Linda Goldberg Nelson; brother, Arlen Nelson; children, Rick Nelson, Cynthia Choate (Christine Young), Trisha Goldberg and Jeff Goldberg (Antionette); and grandchildren, Shaun Sullivan, Mia Moran, Hannah Moran, Bryce Weiman, Lilian Goldberg and Dale J. Nelson. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, brother Dean Nelson, sister Elaine Elston, daughter Susan Nelson, son Christopher Nelson, and former spouses Frances Copping and Bernadette Plouf Choate Nelson. No service will be held per Dale's wishes. Please consider a donation in Dale's honor to Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) or Hospice of the Valley.