BRADEN BLAKE NELSON

Braden Blake Nelson, 58, of Saratoga, WY, formerly of Shubert and Falls City, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at his residence after suffering a heart attack. He was born June 6, 1957 in Rawlins, WY, the son of Ramona M. (Handley) and Arthur C. Nelson.

He was the fifth of six children, all born in a 10-year span. Braden was raised in Rawlins and graduated from Rawlins High School in 1976. While growing up, he was involved in Boy Scouts, 4-H and swimming. As an adult, Braden attended Gateway Electronics College in Lincoln, lived in Arizona prior to moving to southeast Nebraska, andd eventually returned to Wyoming.

During his life he worked at Carbon County Hospital as an orderly, the Hanna coal mines, in the oil fields, and then the Union Pacific Railroad. He hired out with the UP as a brakeman 1978 and worked until 1988, when he was injured on the job.
Braden thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, almost living on the river during the summers. He also enjoyed soaking and visiting at the Saratoga (WY) Hot Pool, sometimes going twice a day. His hobbies also included catching crawdads, gardening, cooking, carving wood and stone, and tinkering with things.

Braden was also a true Christian and very spiritual. He attended church at the First United Methodist Church growing up, and was later baptized at Good News Assembly of God Church in Falls City. He returned to the Methodist Church after returning to Rawlins.

Braden had one of the biggest hearts and was the type of guy to give you the shirt off of his back. He was also very kind, honest, and had a great sense of humor. He was also very helpful and patient, assisting his friends and family in so many ways.

He is survived by sisters Valerie Nelson, of Rawlins, and Sonja (Richard) Kraft, of California; brothers, Arthur Nelson and Greg Nelson, both of Rawlins; nieces, Tara (Robert) Williams, of Rawlins, Lauren Hall, of Colorado, Erica Nelson, of Laramie, WY, and Rachael Kraft, of California; nephews, Tait (Anastasia) Nelson, of Colorado, and David Kraft, of California; great nieces, Kelsey Hunter and Karleigh Overbeck, both of Rawlins; great nephews, Jason Hoffman, of Florida, David Kraft, of California, and Konstantin Nelson, of Colorado; and many other relatives and friends. Last but not least, Braden is survived by his faithful dog, Dusty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Noel Brent Nelson; and his nephew, Taylor Shawn Hall.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Rawlins. Grave side service and interment will follow in the Saratoga Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Carbon County Funeral Home.