Reverend Joseph Neil Nilsen died peacefully in his home in Crossville on December 30, 2023, with his beloved wife by his side. God called him home after an eighteen-month battle with cancer.

Joe was born on April 16, 1944, to Joseph and Florence Nilsen of Staten Island, New York. He was raised and educated there, along with his three older sisters; he graduated from Port Richmond High School and later from Wagner College, where he earned a degree in History in 1965. During his years at Wagner, he sang in the college choir and served as its baritone soloist.

The Nilsen family were devoted members of Zion Lutheran Church, and in his youth, Joe sensed a call to ordained ministry. After graduating, he enrolled in Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Joe married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Larsen, on June 18, 1966, and they began their marriage adventure while Joe completed his coursework at Luther and a year of internship in Waterloo, Iowa. He received his Master of Divinity and was approved for ordination in the American Lutheran Church. Joe’s life in ministry began in 1969 with a call to St. Luke’s Lutheran in Hialeah, Florida, and ended with an impromptu mini-sermon in his home with his family on his last Christmas Eve. God’s call to follow Jesus and serve His people extended far beyond his professional career, and God used him to touch countless lives. Joe and Evy’s time in Florida included welcoming a daughter and son into the world, and the family of four stayed there until 1975, when Joe accepted a new call to Bethlehem Lutheran in Fairfax, Virginia.

In 1983, God’s call took an unexpected turn towards clinical pastoral care, so Joe listened and moved the family to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a year of CPE training at North Carolina Memorial Hospital. He continued God’s work as a chaplain and then as the Director of Pastoral Care at Eger Health Care Center, a nursing home in Staten Island, New York. After fifteen years away from home, God brought Joe back to Staten Island for another fifteen years.

Officially retiring in 1999 (but asserting that pastors never truly retire), Joe and Evy moved to Crossville where they continued to serve God as He called. They joined Christ Lutheran Church where they were devoted members. Joe served as Pastoral Assistant and made himself available as a supply pastor. He helped to found the Cumberland County Christian Counseling Center and served as its first board chairman, he volunteered his time and compassion with Hospice, he wielded a hammer with Habitat for Humanity, and he helped in the clean-up in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.

Joe lost his partner in love and service when Evy preceded him in death on February 24, 2015, after a short battle with cancer.

God blessed Joe with a new chapter of love and service when He brought Marilynn Foster into his life in January of 2017. On November 5, 2017, they married and embarked on a new adventure together; traveling, learning, and growing, singing in the church choir, celebrating holidays and happy events with family, and finding laughter and joy in each day even through Joe’s illness. Joe lovingly embraced Marilynn’s family, and he was dearly loved by them all. God blessed two families when He brought them together.

Joe will be missed by countless people, but especially by his family: his wife: Marilynn Nilsen; children: Julie Russell (Chris), Keith Nilsen (Tony), Mark Foster (Lori), Paul Foster (Amy), and Tanya Foster; sisters: Valerie Mason, Carole Bertoldo, and Nancy Werthmuller and all of their families; grandchildren: Ethan Russell, Riley Russell, Emma Delaney, Ryan Delaney, Jacob Roper, Garrett Roper (Sara), Elizabeth Morris (Jon), Rachel Patrick (Pierce), Meghan Foster, Savannah Foster, David Foster, and Tyler Brady; and great-granddaughter: Juniper Roper will remember him as “Poppy.”

All of Joe’s loved ones look forward to the great reunion in heaven that we are promised in Christ! Alleluia!

A memorial service to worship God and to celebrate Joe’s life will be held on February 3, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Crossville. A time of sharing memories and food will follow in the fellowship hall. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice, H.O.M.E., or Cumberland County Christian Counseling Center.

Obituary by Hood Funeral Home in Crossville.