Reverend Dr. Kenneth Roy “K. Roy” Nilsen, 92, of Edinburg, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at The Warren Assisted Living in Woodstock.

Born December 29, 1931, to the late Olaf and Olive Reid Nilsen in Jamaica Queens, New York. He graduated High School at the age of 15 continuing his education at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. K. Roy went on to Lutheran Seminary in Minnesota and served his Internship in Rawlings, Pennsylvania. On June 7, 1953, he married the love of his life, Vivian May Nilsen whom he met at the age of 14 at the Luther League. Together they raised their five children, Kenn, Timothy, Thomas, Kathy and Kristine. Upon completion of his internship, his first call to the ministry was in Berlin, New Hampshire at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

His next call to service included starting a mission church, Christ Lutheran Church, in East Northport, New York at the local Moose Lodge, where he went door to door to invite people to join the beginnings of his congregation. A new church building was built within a few years. He was later called to Christ Lutheran Church in New Jersey. While there, he received his Doctorate in Ministry from Gettysburg Seminary. As a family, they continued to Christ Lutheran Church in Bethesda, Maryland where he was elected Dean of ALC in the Eastern District office and Bishops Assistant in Maryland Synod ELCA. Returning to parish ministry, he accepted the call to Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia where he retired after over 40 years in the ministry.

K. Roy was a master carpenter a skill that helped put himself through school and taught to his eldest son, Kenn. On his Monday’s off, he would do odd jobs taking his kids with him and teaching them the trade. He was also garage mechanic, teaching his middle son his automotive knowledge. There was not a musical instrument that he would not attempt, such as the ukulele, dulcimer and the harmonica.

For their 50th Anniversary, him and his wife took a trip to Norway. They enjoyed traveling and visiting family together, as well as leading Holy Land Tours. He would try anything at least once, was very energetic and on the go, lived a colorful life and had a great sense of humor.

Upon the death of his beloved wife in 2007 after 54 years of marriage, he moved to Edinburg. Two years later, he married Anna Good Nilsen, with whom he shared 15 years together.

In addition to his wife, Anna, he is survived by sons, Rev. Kenn Nilsen and wife, Dee, Rev. Timothy Nilsen and wife, Lisa and Thomas Nilsen and wife, Sandy; daughters Kathy Deppe and husband, Charles and Kristine Crawford and husband, Rob; grandchildren, Sarah Taveras and husband, Henry, Emily Hamilton and husband, Greer, Christopher Nilsen and wife, Alycia, Melissa Darroff and husband, Stan, Joseph Nilsen and wife, Ashlan, Kyle Deppe and wife, Katie, Stephanie Crawford, and Alex Crawford and wife, Ally, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Mateo, Catalina, Jones, Lennox, Jack, Hudson, Max and baby boy Nilsen due in May.

A funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church with Pastor Lauren Eanes officiating. The service will be live streamed to Muhlenberg Lutheran Church’s Facebook and Youtube pages. Interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside Vivian.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice or the Muhlenberg Lutheran Church’s Memorial Fund.