Luke Erik Nelson

Luke Erik Nelson, 45, passed away on October 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. He was born on January 26, 1979, in Spokane, WA, to Erik Nelson and Kathy Wilson. Luke was a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Throughout his life, Luke’s greatest treasure was creating and sustaining meaningful relationships with those whom he loved. He had a real gift for making people feel special. He never missed a chance to tell people he loved them, was proud of them, or that he cared. He could talk to almost anyone about almost anything.

Luke was most children’s favorite person. He had a special talent for connecting with kids, whether he was playing his favorite “up high, down low, too slow” game or giving them pointers to improve their fishing or soccer game.

Luke loved sports. He played soccer and basketball throughout high school and into his adulthood. The friendships he made in his teammates throughout the years were invaluable to him. Luke was an avid fan of the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, the Purdue Boilermakers, West Ham United, and the Portland Timbers. All bets were off when it came to getting along with fans of opposing teams!

Luke is survived by his loving wife, Hazel, who cared for him with incredible grace and tenderness in his final months. Luke and Hazel met in 2014 and married in 2019. Their special love story saw many adventures, like working together at Fountain Square Brewery, snowboarding across several states, hiking in National Parks, going to concerts, and using the harvest from their garden to make homemade hot sauce and salsa.

Luke is also survived by his father and stepmother Erik and Cheri Nelson, mother and stepfather Kathy and Brooks Wilson, sisters Micah (Daniel) Nelson and Samantha (Josh) Nelson, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, who adored him deeply. 

Let us all remember Luke's spirit by giving each other grace and telling those in our lives that we love them.

A Celebration of Luke’s Life will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at The Heirloom at NK Hurst from 2pm-6pm.