Larry Nelson

Larry Allen Nelson, age 79 of Stillwater, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2022 after a short and courageous battle with cancer.

Larry was born in Warsaw Township, Minnesota on September 30, 1942 to Anora (Jenson) and Leonard Nelson. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1961 and then moved to Minneapolis where he attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Larry was passionate about his career specializing in the development of upscale, retail design projects. Early in his career he opened 118 East, a visionary store that featured modern, European home decor and included a gourmet shop, the first in the Twin Cities area. He became co-founder and president of Saint Anthony Main, the first specialty development of its kind in MN and created the beginning of a new future on the East side of the Mississippi River. He continued his career as a consultant in retail development for client projects, including North Pier and Field Museum in Chicago, Skywalker Development in San Francisco, The Luminaire in Houston, Riverplace and Gabbert’s in Minneapolis. He won numerous awards from the Committee on Urban Environment and his travels throughout the world inspired his trendsetting and cultural influences on his projects.

In his later years, he moved to Stillwater and was a very active member in the Stillwater community, including serving as a member of the Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission. His experience of architectural restoration led him to purchase and carefully restore a treasured building in the heart of Main Street.

Larry had a great love of art, photography, architecture and nature. He enjoyed many years with family visiting the Key Largo Anglers Club and Ocean Reef in Florida. He especially enjoyed his time on Madeline Island and hiking along the North Shore. He was an excellent Italian and French cook and was occasionally featured on local television, including a segment with Julia Child on WCCO. His humor and charm were infectious.

Larry was predeceased by his father, Leonard; mother, Anora; and son, Matthew.

He is survived by his partner, Kay Amoth; daughters, Maaja (John) Kern and Elizabeth (Zachary) King; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Drew, Margot, Charlie, Michael, Teddy and Bobby; and sister, Nena. He will also be dearly missed by many close friends.

Larry’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on October 22nd at Bradshaw, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd, Stillwater, with visitation beginning one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Wild Rivers Conservancy, www.wildriversconservancy.org .