Family, Church and Giving Back: Nelsen Family Key Life Lessons

PINP O INTE RESIDENT PR O FILE Family, Church and Giving Back: Nelsen Family Key Life Lessons

By Patricia Hudson

Eric and Kellyann Nelsen are our featured residents of Coles Crossing. A closely-knit family, their lives are filled with weekly sporting events, philanthropic causes, church, and travel adventures. Kellyann shares about her family in this interview.

Where did you grow up?

Like many with parents in the oil industry, we moved around. Eric lived in London, England; Oslo, Norway; Aberdeen, Scotland; and Cypress, Texas. “I lived in Akron,Ohio; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Humble,Texas, and Cypress,Texas,” shares Kellyann.

Do you have a favorite childhood memory?

“Living overseas we were able to travel to some amazing places, but my favorite memories are going to my grandparents’ house in Ohio every summer,” recalls Kellyann. “They had about 20 acres and we would spend several weeks at their house visiting family, riding dirt bikes through the woods, picking berries and cooking with grandma. It was the best way to spend the summer.”

Where did you attend college?

I graduated from the University of Houston. Eric graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Civil Engineering. Kellyann graduated from University of Houston with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and is certified to teach grades 1-8.

What career path did you follow?

Eric has worked for Bechtel Corp since graduating. He has been there for 23 years and is currently Global Manager of Estimating. Kellyann began teaching at Spring ISD and worked for them for 8 years. “I was able to stay home once we had kids. In 2013, I went back to work as a long-term sub. I worked at Salem Lutheran when needed, while my kids were in school there until 2019. Then, when Covid hit, I didn’t work for a couple years. I heard what a hard time schools were having getting subs, so this past year, I took a job subbing at Postma Elementary in CyFair ISD.”

It's time to brag about your children.

“We are blessed with 3 fantastic kids: Aidan, (20), will be starting his junior year at Texas A&M in the fall-He is majoring in Ag Business and is treasurer of AGR fraternity (During the summer, he is spending his time working on a farm in North Dakota.) Ryan, (17), will be a senior year at Cypress Woods High School. He and I volunteer with Young Men’s Service League and he is a member of NHS. He is busy navigating college admissions and touring universities here in Texas. Savannah, (14), will be starting her freshman year at CyWoods. She keeps us busy with volleyball. She loves playing for her club team at Texas Tornados and is looking forward to playing for her school team.”

What sports/activities keep your family busy?

We are always busy with volunteering and volleyball. Ryan and I enjoyed helping at the Cy-Fair Helping Hands Community Garden. Most weekends include volleyball tournaments either here in Houston or around Texas in Dallas and Austin. We’ve also had trips to Salt Lake City and Orlando.

What important life’s lessons have you taught your children?

1. Family- Spending time with family is important and I make a point to travel to take my kids to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We have family in the Fort Worth area and make several trips there a year. Helping Family- When Hurricane Harvey hit, my mother-in-law’s house flooded. I talked to my kids about the importance of helping family when they need it. The kids worked hard to help grandma clear out her flooded house. Our oldest, Aidan, along with members of his boy scout troop, helped throughout her neighborhood as it was a lot of retired couples. 2. Volunteering- I want our kids to learn that volunteering helps others, but it also helps you to learn about your own community. 3. Church- I have always felt it is important to attend church and for children to grow up learning about the Bible and the love of God. Knowing your own family, community and church, I think, gives kids a strong foundation of who they are and where they come from.

What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies or hidden talents?

“Eric has a bass fishing boat that he and Aidan enjoy taking out on the rare weekend we don’t have plans. I enjoy butterfly gardening and reading,” comments Kellyann. “As a family, we enjoy traveling and take a trip every summer. Our favorite travel destination is Hawaii. In March of 2020, just before Covid shut everything down, we traveled to Maui to celebrate our oldest graduating high school, as well as our 20th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful family vacation. The kids enjoyed everything about it!”

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