Newmark (Dane) Brondt Nelsen passed from this life in the early hours of Dec. 16, 2009, from complications due to pacemaker surgery. The room in which he spent his last hours was filled to overflowing with his beloved wife, Cleo, and all of his children. He was cared for in the most compassionate way possible by the physicians and nurses at Virginia Mason Hospital.

Mr. Nelsen’s life ended with the same dignity and quiet strength that characterized his 81 years.

Mr. Nelsen was born in rural Iowa, the first son of Christian and Elise, on June 25, 1928. He grew up on a dairy farm, but there was no keeping him there. As a young adult he raced motorcycles, and to prevent his parents from finding this out, he changed his name to Dane. This nickname was particularly appropriate because it acknowledged his Danish heritage, of which he was shamelessly proud. The most important event of Mr. Nelsen’s life took place early in a small-town drug store, when he was introduced to his partner for life, Cleopha Ann Schwery. His marriage to Cleo had two conditions. First, the motorcycle had to go (once they had children), and he had to become a Catholic. Mr. Nelsen remained a devoted Catholic (and never got another motorcycle).

Mr. Nelsen made the most of post-World War II America. With no college education, he found work in the propane gas business, at one point flying his small plane to get to sales calls. He eventually owned the Carroll Gas Company, which was then purchased by Northern Natural Gas. At this point in their lives, they relocated to Minneapolis, Minn. Five years later, the family moved to the Seattle area, when Mr. Nelsen became co-owner of Sam Dick Industries, a business which specialized in propane gas heating systems. On his tax attorney’s advice, he bought a 45-foot sailboat. When Cleo pointed out that he didn’t know how to sail, Mr. Nelsen said the whole family was going to learn. When he couldn’t find the sailboat he wanted, he bought into the Valiant Yacht Company and had a custom one built. Finding a crew was no problem for the Nelsen family.

Mr. Nelsen’s gift for business was eclipsed by his and Cleo’s remarkable ability to have children. They named their first boat “The Bakers Dozen” to recognize their family of thirteen. Dane and Cleo gave life to 12 children and still grieve the loss of sons Curtis and Jeffrey. Whether as a father, grandparent, great-grandparent, boss or parishioner, Mr. Nelsen was a generous soul who cared deeply for his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cleo; children (and spouses), Craig (Jackie), Connie (Steve), Chuck, Cristine (Dennis), Cathy (Brien), Tom, Jane, Peggy (Tom), Mark (Luiza) and Jimmy (Becket). He is also survived by grandchildren Matthew, Katie, Elise, Abigail, Corey, Calen, Chase, Max, Alicia, Danya, Cortney, Mallory, Avary, Cassidy, Sophia, Bishop, Zachary, Benjamin, Delayla, Anthony, Lochlann, and great-grandchildren Chloe, Jack and Mackenzie.

A funeral Mass has been held.

Remembrances are suggested to Friends of the Needy, 4301 88th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, Wash., 98040, or the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org. Remembrances may be shared at www.mem.com.