January 20, 2021
January 20, 2021
Ted put fun into tax preparation......Imagine that! He will certainly be missed.
Theodore "Ted" Frederick Nelson
05/17/1941 – 10/11/2020
Ted Nelson, 79, a proud WSU Cougar, Wenatchee Panther, and Olympia resident passed away on October 11, 2020.
On May 17th, 1941 T.V. and Eunice Nelson welcomed Ted Nelson into this world in Wenatchee Washington. Ted was known by many names - he answered to “Bud”, “Fred” or “Ted” depending on where and when you met him.
Some of Ted’s happiest memories were the summers he spent with cousins at their grandparent’s farm in Orchard Prairie, Washington. After graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1959, Ted attended Washington State University graduating in 1965 with a degree in accounting. Ted was married in 1961 and became a father in 1964 to son Scott and to daughter Christine in 1968.
After becoming a certified public accountant, Ted worked in Portland, Oregon before settling in Olympia and enjoying a long career with the State of Washington. During his time in public service, Ted worked at the State of Washington Auditors Office, the Washington State of Department of Information Services, the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition, Ted maintained a private tax practice, which nourished him socially, mentally, emotionally. He loved the puzzles of accounting and the federal tax codes, serving tax clients up until his death.
Ted fell in love with Paulette Price Groebner Nelson, and the two married on August 15th, 1992. Ted embraced the opportunity to help raise his new family, Rebecca, Jeffrey, Kimberly, and Nicholas.
Ted was always active in the communities he lived in. While in Portland, he was active in the Rose Society. Shortly after arriving in Olympia, he began working with Capital Lakefair as a Capitalarian. He loved walking with the floats in parades, supporting the Lakefair Court, and assisting with Lakefair’s local carnival, parade, hydroplane races, and associated events. Ted was a member of the Olympia Rotary and an active youth leader and choir member at Evergreen Christian Center. In his later years, Ted enjoyed breeding and showing cats around the Pacific Northwest and remained active in roses as a member of the Olympia Rose Society. Ted remained loyally connected to his beloved Wenatchee Panther and Washington State Cougar friends and alumni.
Brilliant in mind and youthful in spirit, his quick-witted teasing and retorts were how you knew he loved and cared about you. If you hadn’t been teased by Ted, then you didn’t know him.His faith in God, his love of the Cougars, and his dedication to family ran deep, and were traits apparent to all who met him. “Let’s go fly a kite” isn’t just a song from a Disney musical: Ted loved the beach; if there was wind, it is what Ted would say before flying, or teaching somehow how to fly, dual handed stunt kites.
Ted made you feel like you were lifelong friends the moment he met you. If you didn’t remember his jokes, jabs, stories, or opinions, maybe you remember him as the guy who was always dressed head to toe in Cougar crimson and grey. He loved sports and he loved the Seahawks, but there has never been, nor will there likely ever be, a greater Cougar fan than Ted Nelson. If you were a Husky and around during the Apple Cup, beware. He was known to send a dozen black roses to all his Husky friends on those rare occasions the Cougs actually beat the Dawgs. Always positive, always hopeful, always warm and welcoming, that was Ted or Fred or Bud Nelson.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents Ted Vernon and Mary Eunice Nelson and his sister Carol McNabb (Mac). He is survived by his wife Paulette; his children, Scott Nelson (Kathy), and Christine Nelson (Kelli), Rebecca Groebner (Das), Jeffrey Groebner (Jessica), Kimberly Groebner, and Nicholas Groebner (Taylor). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Colin Nelson (Elyse), Cameron Nelson, Christian Nelson, Jasper Petty, Felix Petty, Victoria Groebner, Sydney Groebner, Julie Edwards and Margaret (Maggie) Groebner.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Washington State University Carson School of Business or Cougar Athletics in Ted’s name.
05/17/1941 – 10/11/2020
Ted Nelson, 79, a proud WSU Cougar, Wenatchee Panther, and Olympia resident passed away on October 11, 2020.
On May 17th, 1941 T.V. and Eunice Nelson welcomed Ted Nelson into this world in Wenatchee Washington. Ted was known by many names - he answered to “Bud”, “Fred” or “Ted” depending on where and when you met him.
Some of Ted’s happiest memories were the summers he spent with cousins at their grandparent’s farm in Orchard Prairie, Washington. After graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1959, Ted attended Washington State University graduating in 1965 with a degree in accounting. Ted was married in 1961 and became a father in 1964 to son Scott and to daughter Christine in 1968.
After becoming a certified public accountant, Ted worked in Portland, Oregon before settling in Olympia and enjoying a long career with the State of Washington. During his time in public service, Ted worked at the State of Washington Auditors Office, the Washington State of Department of Information Services, the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition, Ted maintained a private tax practice, which nourished him socially, mentally, emotionally. He loved the puzzles of accounting and the federal tax codes, serving tax clients up until his death.
Ted fell in love with Paulette Price Groebner Nelson, and the two married on August 15th, 1992. Ted embraced the opportunity to help raise his new family, Rebecca, Jeffrey, Kimberly, and Nicholas.
Ted was always active in the communities he lived in. While in Portland, he was active in the Rose Society. Shortly after arriving in Olympia, he began working with Capital Lakefair as a Capitalarian. He loved walking with the floats in parades, supporting the Lakefair Court, and assisting with Lakefair’s local carnival, parade, hydroplane races, and associated events. Ted was a member of the Olympia Rotary and an active youth leader and choir member at Evergreen Christian Center. In his later years, Ted enjoyed breeding and showing cats around the Pacific Northwest and remained active in roses as a member of the Olympia Rose Society. Ted remained loyally connected to his beloved Wenatchee Panther and Washington State Cougar friends and alumni.
Brilliant in mind and youthful in spirit, his quick-witted teasing and retorts were how you knew he loved and cared about you. If you hadn’t been teased by Ted, then you didn’t know him.His faith in God, his love of the Cougars, and his dedication to family ran deep, and were traits apparent to all who met him. “Let’s go fly a kite” isn’t just a song from a Disney musical: Ted loved the beach; if there was wind, it is what Ted would say before flying, or teaching somehow how to fly, dual handed stunt kites.
Ted made you feel like you were lifelong friends the moment he met you. If you didn’t remember his jokes, jabs, stories, or opinions, maybe you remember him as the guy who was always dressed head to toe in Cougar crimson and grey. He loved sports and he loved the Seahawks, but there has never been, nor will there likely ever be, a greater Cougar fan than Ted Nelson. If you were a Husky and around during the Apple Cup, beware. He was known to send a dozen black roses to all his Husky friends on those rare occasions the Cougs actually beat the Dawgs. Always positive, always hopeful, always warm and welcoming, that was Ted or Fred or Bud Nelson.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents Ted Vernon and Mary Eunice Nelson and his sister Carol McNabb (Mac). He is survived by his wife Paulette; his children, Scott Nelson (Kathy), and Christine Nelson (Kelli), Rebecca Groebner (Das), Jeffrey Groebner (Jessica), Kimberly Groebner, and Nicholas Groebner (Taylor). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Colin Nelson (Elyse), Cameron Nelson, Christian Nelson, Jasper Petty, Felix Petty, Victoria Groebner, Sydney Groebner, Julie Edwards and Margaret (Maggie) Groebner.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Washington State University Carson School of Business or Cougar Athletics in Ted’s name.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
November 28, 2020
November 28, 2020
Paulette, Ted was so head over heels in love with you. BOTH of you were blessed by this wonderful union. I know he looks forward patiently--his 'middle name was Patience' I think!--to your reunion: it will happen...he is yours and you are his. Loni '60
November 22, 2020
November 22, 2020
I knew Ted and Eunice in Wenatchee and have a newspaper clipping for the family and have been looking for someone but don't have an address. Ted came to Oroville to fix my Dad's machines. He always came just before lunch as he knew Mom would invite him to join us and eat lunch. I think we stayed overnight there once. I did not know their children but I'm sure that Ted was their son. If they are and if you want the clipping, please send an address. Joan Thorndike Jensen 509-249-1691---(for stories) If this Ted was like the other one, he had to be a nice guy and I wish I had known him.
November 17, 2020
November 17, 2020
Ted,
A big grin comes to my face when I reminisce of the memories we share. As a kid you called me Ash-Can and it always made me laugh. I remember visiting your house, and teasing you about driving your shiny red car in the garage. You were always the "Big Kid-Adult" and my sister and I had a lot of fun with you and the kids. I loved being the flower girl at you and Paulette's beautiful backyard wedding! My mom still has the dress I wore that day <3
With that huge heart of yours, I always felt a warm welcome in the home you and Paulette shared in our neighborhood. Thank you so much for the fond memories, until we meet again. - Ashley Huffman
A big grin comes to my face when I reminisce of the memories we share. As a kid you called me Ash-Can and it always made me laugh. I remember visiting your house, and teasing you about driving your shiny red car in the garage. You were always the "Big Kid-Adult" and my sister and I had a lot of fun with you and the kids. I loved being the flower girl at you and Paulette's beautiful backyard wedding! My mom still has the dress I wore that day <3
With that huge heart of yours, I always felt a warm welcome in the home you and Paulette shared in our neighborhood. Thank you so much for the fond memories, until we meet again. - Ashley Huffman
October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020
I wasn't swept off my feet by Ted like most people when first meeting him. It took me a while to get to know the real Ted. But after watching how he loved my best friend Paulette and made her happy I began to love the man too. Not only did he love her he was kind, gentle, and patient with her and her children at a time when that's exactly what she needed. I watched Ted and Paulette create a busy,happy, adventure filled home that was always welcoming. The two were a item and rarely apart. You will be dearly missed Ted, but rest assured that you leave behind a legacy of love that will never be forgotten. Until we meet again dear friend, love Susan
October 26, 2020
October 26, 2020
To know you is to love you, Ted ... your smile, your wit, your generosity, your goofiness, your friendship, and your caring spirit towards all who crossed your path, humans and animals alike. We will never forget you and our many memories of you will serve as an inspiration to be gentle and kind and considerate of others. You are truly a one-of-a-kind Gentleman who will be greatly missed. I will never forget our ferry ride to Victoria and you, as our official tour guide, showing us where to go, what fudge to buy, etc. You and Paulette's wedding when your cried because you knew you had hit the jack pot and were the luckiest man in the universe. You rushing up to "Ash Can" at your reception to check on her after she went airborne off the trampoline. Just so many good memories. Heaven just got a keeper!
October 25, 2020
October 25, 2020
Victoria and Sydney are lucky to have had such a gentle and loving Papa Ted. They will always remember the fun and loving time spent with him.. He will always live in their hearts.
October 25, 2020
October 25, 2020
I'll miss you big guy. You came into my life when I was just 5 years old. I'll always remember you coaching my little sports teams growing up. Through ups and downs if a stepfather /stepson relationship you never gave up on me, and more importantly you have always loved my mom unconditionally. I'm proud to have you as a father and you will forever be missed. Love, Bubba.
October 25, 2020
October 25, 2020
What an honor to know and love you. Every time I walked in for a visit you’d say “There’s my daughter!”, and that never went unnoticed by me. I wish I could hear it again in your deep and joyful voice. So grateful for our 5 years together and I’m jealous of those who got you longer. We will miss you- but you will never leave our daily thoughts and discussions. We’ll always say how much Papa would have loved this or that as we continue to go on without you here. It’ll never be the same but you’ll always be with us in a new way.
October 24, 2020
October 24, 2020
I first met Ted after arriving at DNR in 2002. I remember hearing his boisterous laugh and Cougar Pride. He had a natural gift for the compilation of numbers without the use of pen and pad, much less a calculator. For almost 20 years I marveled at his understanding of the tax code.
I wish the Nelson and Groebner Families peace in this difficult time. Ted will be greatly missed but never absent from our hearts nor forgotten.
I wish the Nelson and Groebner Families peace in this difficult time. Ted will be greatly missed but never absent from our hearts nor forgotten.
October 22, 2020
October 22, 2020
Oh I'm so sad to hear this news. I've been retired from WDFW for more than 7 years now, but I have such fond memories of working with Ted. Always a fun adventure to go talk to him about how we could make such and such contract work and get it done ASAP. He was always the "can do" guy. He brought a lot of sunshine to what could have otherwise been a potentially dreadful experience. His laughter was contagious and I always appreciated his expertise and positive approach. Thank you Paulette for sharing the pictures - so fun to see the happy times. Loved the story about how you met! I am grateful that I was one of the lucky ones to get to work with Ted - a really great guy who spread smiles everywhere. I know he will be greatly missed by so many.
October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020
Dear Nelsons,
Ted was so kind and patient with me when I first started at the agency. In the years we worked together, he was consistently a source of humor and help. He will be sorely missed.
Ted was so kind and patient with me when I first started at the agency. In the years we worked together, he was consistently a source of humor and help. He will be sorely missed.
October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020
Ted,
My husband, Dave, and I will always remember you for your sense of humor and jovial laugh ringing through the office. You were always so responsive to any request for help with contracts at WDFW and would drop everything to assist your coworkers. You regularly spoke of your family - wife and kids - with love and devotion. Your office was crowded with pictures of your beloved cats and sports paraphernalia in support of the WSU Cougars (much to Dave's appreciation). You made WDFW a better place while you were there. Thank you for the memories and rest in peace.
Wendy
My husband, Dave, and I will always remember you for your sense of humor and jovial laugh ringing through the office. You were always so responsive to any request for help with contracts at WDFW and would drop everything to assist your coworkers. You regularly spoke of your family - wife and kids - with love and devotion. Your office was crowded with pictures of your beloved cats and sports paraphernalia in support of the WSU Cougars (much to Dave's appreciation). You made WDFW a better place while you were there. Thank you for the memories and rest in peace.
Wendy
October 20, 2020
October 20, 2020
Ted,
I enjoyed your good natured banter when I stopped by your cubicle. You were still wrong about the Cougs, though. Take care.
Dave
I enjoyed your good natured banter when I stopped by your cubicle. You were still wrong about the Cougs, though. Take care.
Dave
October 19, 2020
October 19, 2020
I love and will always miss you. You, Paulette, and I had a lot of fun times. You were the best to work with. You will always have a place in my heart. We were blessed having you in our lives. See you later - love, Theresa
October 18, 2020
October 18, 2020
Hey Ted. I hope this finds you pain free in Heaven. I've known you for many years. The most significant memories are of good times (and some bad) at DIS. The best memory is being there when you and Paulette started your love story. You were so cute together. I remember you both singing along to Gary Puckett and the Union Gap when the four of us went to the performance in Tacoma. You could sing! I hope you're still singing. We're sending you warmest virtual hugs. Rest in peace dear Ted. You will be missed.
October 17, 2020
October 17, 2020
Tedders, I love you. I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with you, but you spent the rest of your's with me. I will always feel blessed you chose me. I miss you to the moon and back♥
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
January 20, 2021
January 20, 2021
Ted put fun into tax preparation......Imagine that! He will certainly be missed.
November 28, 2020
November 28, 2020
Paulette, Ted was so head over heels in love with you. BOTH of you were blessed by this wonderful union. I know he looks forward patiently--his 'middle name was Patience' I think!--to your reunion: it will happen...he is yours and you are his. Loni '60
November 22, 2020
November 22, 2020
I knew Ted and Eunice in Wenatchee and have a newspaper clipping for the family and have been looking for someone but don't have an address. Ted came to Oroville to fix my Dad's machines. He always came just before lunch as he knew Mom would invite him to join us and eat lunch. I think we stayed overnight there once. I did not know their children but I'm sure that Ted was their son. If they are and if you want the clipping, please send an address. Joan Thorndike Jensen 509-249-1691---(for stories) If this Ted was like the other one, he had to be a nice guy and I wish I had known him.
Gallery
Our cat Cedar Rose Theodore "Tedders" winning at a cat show.
Grandpa in his Carroll College Hat. He was pretty proud of it.
Paulette and kids at Ted's favorite Place "The Sandpiper" - Pacific Beach, WA
Ted - The beginning of Paulette's and Ted's relationship. Here he is standing by the sign out board at DIS in 1989.
Ted and Paulette sailing to Victoria BC on the SS Princess Marguerite
Ted with his mom, dad and sister Carol.
Eunice, Carol, Ted and TV Nelson
His Life
Birth
October 17, 2020
Ted was born in the Wenatchee Hospital, May 17, 1941. He was given the name Theodore Frederick Nelson. His parents were Theodore Vernon Nelson and Mary Eunice Luttropp. They called him Fred or Bud. He was the baby of the family and had one sibling, Carol Nelson.
Growing Up
October 24, 2020
Ted grew up in Wenatchee, Washington. He loved school and loved his friends. He told many stories about hanging with his friends, playing Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes with his friend Bob Erickson. He was a good student. He had a job selling peanuts at the baseball park in the summers. He loved sports and he loved that job.
His dad owned Nelson Business Machines in Wenatchee and traveled a lot with his job. He loved his dad and loved the times his dad would take him on the road with him. Ted was like his dad as far as driving anywhere and having a map in his head. It was just amazing. He knew every nook and cranny of his dad's territory.
Since Ted was a very high energy kid, he was sent to Orchard Prairie to grandma and grandpa Nelson's farm in the summer. The memories made there were priceless. He loved his sister, Carol, and his cousins, Karen, Sharon and Nancy. He had such fun stories of hanging with them in his youth and his love for them continued until the day he died.
His grandpa taught him a lot about farming. He taught Ted how to use the tools and let him mark and set the cabbages. Ted was extremely intelligent and loved being of use on the farm. His grandmother was his favorite person in the whole world. She had his number and knew how to use his brain and energy to get things done around the farm. He loved that grandma of his and kept her in a special little corner of his heart.
He went to Wenatchee High School and loved all his time there. He grew strong friendships, was active in extra curricular activities, played some football and went to Boy's State. He talked his whole life about high school being one of the funnest times in his life. He met his sweetheart there that he later married and they had two children, Scott and Christine. Ted adored his children and told stories of raising them and how much fun he had raising them.
His dad owned Nelson Business Machines in Wenatchee and traveled a lot with his job. He loved his dad and loved the times his dad would take him on the road with him. Ted was like his dad as far as driving anywhere and having a map in his head. It was just amazing. He knew every nook and cranny of his dad's territory.
Since Ted was a very high energy kid, he was sent to Orchard Prairie to grandma and grandpa Nelson's farm in the summer. The memories made there were priceless. He loved his sister, Carol, and his cousins, Karen, Sharon and Nancy. He had such fun stories of hanging with them in his youth and his love for them continued until the day he died.
His grandpa taught him a lot about farming. He taught Ted how to use the tools and let him mark and set the cabbages. Ted was extremely intelligent and loved being of use on the farm. His grandmother was his favorite person in the whole world. She had his number and knew how to use his brain and energy to get things done around the farm. He loved that grandma of his and kept her in a special little corner of his heart.
He went to Wenatchee High School and loved all his time there. He grew strong friendships, was active in extra curricular activities, played some football and went to Boy's State. He talked his whole life about high school being one of the funnest times in his life. He met his sweetheart there that he later married and they had two children, Scott and Christine. Ted adored his children and told stories of raising them and how much fun he had raising them.
Ted and Grandma Carrie
October 26, 2020
Never has a boy loved a grandmother more than Ted loved his grandma Carrie. The loving memories of her, the home she created on the farm, her cooking, her holidays, her patient ways with him were talked about long into his 70's. She was good at using his energy by sending him on important errands to retrieve or deliver items to neighboring farms, to take things to grandpa in the field, etc. Her effect on his life is proof of the importance of grandparents on the lives of their grandchildren. I think he knew this and mirrored her love on his own grandkids. Many times he took me to the farm and talked of the neighboring homes where he spent time and the fond memories it brought to his life. He and I would always visit the tiny Orchard Prairie cemetery to visit his grandparent's graves. Two of the sweetest, most loving men I've ever met, Ted, and his father, T.V., were raised by her -- my testament to what a wonderful woman she must have been
Recent stories
December 1, 2020
I already did but can't find it posted.
Kittitas Street Memories
November 30, 2020
by Pat Murphy
I was Ted’s next door neighbor on Kittitas St. in Wenatchee for a number of years. My younger brother and I would spend hours playing a baseball game on Ted’s front porch. My family moved to another area of Wenatchee during my high school days and I lost track of him but always wondered what became of him. I live in Spokane,WA during the summer months and in Scottsdale,AZ during the winter and rarely visit Wenatchee these days.
TFN CPA
November 2, 2020
by Kevin Olson
Before I knew Ted the man, I knew TFN CPA. That was the license plate on Ted’s red mustang. I grew up in the neighborhood that Ted and Paulette raised their kids in. I’d see that mustang rolling through the streets every day. I eventually became best friends with Teds youngest son, Nichols “Bubba” Groebner. The two of us may even have taken an unauthorized spin or two in TFN CPA during summer nights in Woodsmuir.
Ted was always so kind to me. In our younger days Bubba and I may have given our folks a run, and even with adolescent wildness Ted always greeted me with a smile and a chat. Eventually I got even more on his good side when I became a Coug- then our convos really took off. I always liked being around Ted. He was easy to talk to, friendly and most importantly genuine. He had great energy.
Tedders was a good guy and I’ll miss him. I’m thankful to have known him for 25 some years.
There isn’t a bigger COUG fan looking down and screaming GO COUGS!
TFN CPA!
Ted was always so kind to me. In our younger days Bubba and I may have given our folks a run, and even with adolescent wildness Ted always greeted me with a smile and a chat. Eventually I got even more on his good side when I became a Coug- then our convos really took off. I always liked being around Ted. He was easy to talk to, friendly and most importantly genuine. He had great energy.
Tedders was a good guy and I’ll miss him. I’m thankful to have known him for 25 some years.
There isn’t a bigger COUG fan looking down and screaming GO COUGS!
TFN CPA!