Charlotte Virginia Nelson, 84, rural Canton, Fillmore Co., MN died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, January 29, 2017.
She was born September 20, 1932, in the Big Woods, Preble Township, to Henry and Esther (Thompson) Knudson and was baptized and confirmed at the Henrytown Lutheran church. Charlotte was raised with her sister Harriet Elvira on their ancestral Knud and Gunhild Knudson farm in Amherst, north of Canton. The Knudson farm began in 1853, five years before Minnesota was a state, and is one of the oldest MN farms in continuous family ownership. Charlotte loved to spend time with her grandparents Ole and Clara (Larson) Thompson in the Big Woods, often picking berries and trout fishing. She graduated from Canton High School in 1950. Charlotte married Sylvan Raymond Nelson on August 27, 1950, and for 12 years lived in Lenora. They later moved to the Knudson family farm, raising a family of six children.
Charlotte worked at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home, Mabel, MN, and returned to school in her forties. Charlotte obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1978 from Winona State University. She provided compassionate care as a registered nurse at Tweeten Memorial Hospital in Spring Grove, MN, until she retired at 72.
Charlotte was a member of Garness Trinity Lutheran Church, Mabel Lions Club, 50-60’s Club, and various other organizations. She loved to travel, sew, quilt, and raise dogs. Charlotte showed great concern for others by donating many quilts for community benefits. Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is lovingly remembered by her children: Teresa (Richard) O’Connor of Mabel, Debra Nelson Huntrods Gourley of Waukon, Robert (Shelly) Nelson of Lanesboro, Kevin (Sandy) Nelson of Canton, Joel (Barb) Nelson of Mabel, Todd (Sue) Nelson of La Crescent, 21 grandchildren: Jared (Kristyn) O’Connor, Nathan (Brenna) O’Connor, Sarah (Quintin) Wilhelmson, Kristin (Ryan) Oian, Brittany (Brandon) Lange, Alexander Huntrods, Benjamin Huntrods, Jesse Nelson, Erik (Kallee) Nelson, Christopher (Shelby) Nelson, Aimee (Byron) Rodger, Alissa (Ben) Stelpflug, Samuel (Amy) Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Trent Nelson, Matthew (Jordan) Nelson, Kayla (Gabe Chase) Nelson, Craig Nelson, Jake Nelson, Shannon Nelson, Madeline Nelson; 16 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Glorianne Knox, brothers-in-law Michael Nelson and George Shattuck, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, neighbors and 11 foreign exchange students, who lived at the farm over the years.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Henry in 1984 and Esther in 2006; husband, Sylvan in 1996; sister, Harriet (Knudson) Shattuck in 1988; great-granddaughter Lilli O’Connor in 2006; and her in-laws, Guy in 1990 and Stella (Baarsgard) Nelson in 2001.
A heartfelt thank you to Teresa and Richard O’Connor for opening their home to friends and family and providing loving care during much of the time Charlotte was ill.
Funeral service, officiated by Pastor Leonard Liptack, is at 12 noon, Sunday, February 5, 2017 will be held at the Garness Trinity Lutheran Church (42081 130th Street, (rural) Mabel, MN), with a burial to follow in the church cemetery. The visitation will be Saturday, February 4, 2017, from 3 - 6 p.m., at the Garness Trinity Lutheran Church and one hour prior to funeral service. Family assisted by Mengis Funeral Home.
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