Bemidji High 歪歪漫画鈥檚 Eric 鈥楤ig E鈥� Nelson dies after battle with cancer

021523.N.BP.BIGE.jpg — Eric "Big E" Nelson was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in November and has since been hospitalized as he undergoes treatment. Credit: Misty Moments Photography.

By Pioneer Staff Report

February 29, 2024 at 10:20 PM

BEMIDJI 鈥� Beloved Bemidji High 歪歪漫画 custodian Eric 鈥淏ig E鈥� Nelson died on Thursday after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Nelson was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in November 2022 and was later hospitalized as he underwent treatment. Earlier this week, he was put on hospice care.

He worked for the Bemidji school district for roughly three decades, developing many relationships along the way. On Feb. 16, 2023, the Bemidji boys basketball team honored the longtime faculty member with a pregame tribute. During the latter half of the 2022-23 season, the Lumberjacks鈥� players and coaches formed an 鈥淓鈥� on the court during the National Anthem in his honor.

鈥淚t makes me feel so good,鈥� Nelson said last year about the ovation he received. 鈥淚'm so grateful to have the community support like it is. Bemidji is the First City on the Mississippi, and we鈥檙e No. 1.鈥�

The public can support Nelson鈥檚 family by donating to the GoFundMe account.

READ MORE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS CONTENT

By Pioneer Staff Report

Our newsroom sometimes reports stories under the byline "Pioneer Staff Report." This byline is used when reporters rewrite basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as an email or press release that requires little or no reporting.

Other times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

For questions about a staff report, call (218) 333-9796 or email news@bemidjipioneer.com.