Viktor Iudin-Nelson

Viktor G. Iudin-Nelson died on May 22, 2022 in hospice care in the presence of family, after a long illness. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Fellowship Hall at First Lutheran Church (604 W. Broadway Street, Decorah, Iowa) on Saturday, May 28 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. This will be a time of reminiscences about Viktor’s life, and his art will be on display. Lunch will be served. Viktor was born in Stantsiya Zima (Irkutsk Region), Siberia, Russia. He immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1991 with his wife, Laurie. In Russia, Viktor graduated from the renowned Stroganov Academy of Design and Applied Arts in Moscow and worked as a free-lance artist and graphic designer in a variety of mediums. He also was a teacher of art. In 1992 Viktor, Laurie, and their son, Matthew, moved to Decorah, Iowa. Viktor continued to work as a free-lance artist and illustrator. He held several art shows in Decorah at Luther College and at the Decorah Public Library. Viktor was a well-known figure at the Haymarket, sitting for hours in the evenings and sketching character portraits of the patrons. He also was employed at the Russian Village of Concordia Language Villages as an ethnic arts specialist, teaching visual art techniques to pre-college youth. Viktor was an avid reader and follower of politics and world events. He was very proud of having earned his United States citizenship. He enjoyed attending the many sporting events of his son, Matthew. The family wishes to thank Aase Haugen Senior Services and Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice for their exceptionally kind and attentive care. Viktor is survived by his son, Matthew, and Dr. Laurie Iudin-Nelson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the ELCA Fund for Leaders, NE Iowa Synod; Concordia Language Villages (specify: Russian, Iudin-Nelson Endowed Scholarship); or a charity of the donor’s choice.