Nelson Arnold Eisner

Nelson Arnold Eisner passed away suddenly and yet peacefully at Heritage Manor, Swan River, MB on September 15, 2024

Nelson was born on July 15, 1937 to Arnold and Olga Eisner in Minitonas, MB.  Nelson spent nearly his entire life in the Swan River Valley with only a brief stint in Winnipeg where he was able to meet the love his life, Lydia or as he affectionately called her, Lizzie.  The whirlwind romance moved quickly to marriage and Nelson and Lydia declared their love and sacred marriage vows before God and witnesses on October 10, 1959, a day that is remembered in Winnipeg as the storm of the century.  It was a day fraught with many challenges as they navigated blizzard conditions that closed streets, caused power outages and storm stayed guests.  Although the beginning of their marriage was not the day they had desired, it was truly the start of a love story that would extend for nearly 65 years. 

He came to realize that city life was not for him when he envisioned combines rolling down Portage Ave.  This vision helped him determine that the farm life was his true life’s calling.  He convinced Lydia that this calling was worth pursuing and they uprooted their life in Winnipeg to settle in Swan River and start their very own farm operation.  Nelson and Lydia welcomed their first daughter, Shelly, on May 21, 1968 and their second daughter, Sandy, on July 8, 1972.  Nelson’s girls were the apple of his eye and he beamed with pride with each of their accomplishments.  They truly were “daddy’s girls”!

In order to fund his farming lifestyle, Nelson worked hard, putting his extraordinary skills as a mechanic to good use.  Over the years he worked at several garages in Swan River.  He took great care fixing whatever people broke.  Whether it was a car, truck, tractor or chain saw, Nelson treated every project with meticulous care and treated his customers, both paying and non-paying, with kindness and respect. 

Nelson lived a simple life where his faith in Christ grounded him and the decisions he made.  Over the past 15 years, his faith would be tested to its extreme as he would watch his Lizzie struggle with the effects of dementia.  Nelson faithfully fulfilled his marriage vows as he cared for his wife through her deterioration of health.  He would rarely miss a day visiting Liz as he would feed her an afternoon snack, give her a kiss on cheek, hold her hand and sit with her.  Every day, Nelson looked forward to his time with his wife and cared for her every need until death parted. 

Nelson had a heart that was big enough to love and support each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Nelson is survived by his wife, Lydia Eisner; his daughter, Shelly (Marvin) Mills;grandchildren, Jeremy (Audrey) Mills and great-grandchild, Oliver; Brendan (Sarah) Mills; Dylan Mills;his daughter, Sandra (Darryl) McAuley; grandchildren, Joelle (Matt) Thiessen and great-grandchild, Charlotte; Tanner (Megan) McAuley; siblings, Rose Burghardt, Doug (Marlene) Eisner, Darlene Eisner.

Nelson is predeceased by parents, Arnold Eisner, Olga Eisner; siblings Walter Eisner, John Eisner, and Laurence Eisner. 

Nelson would faithfully read his Bible each day.  His last day of Bible reading took him to Romans 8, a passage of great encouragement to the Christian faith.  May these words encourage as us as we consider the faith that Nelson clung to:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39, NIV84)