Heidi Sue Nelson

Heidi Sue Nelson, 35, a resident of Battle Lake (Otter Tail Lake), passed away Friday, June 17, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family.

Heidi was born on October 2, 1980, in Fergus Falls, MN, the daughter of Randy and Peggy (Thompson) Nelson. Heidi started school at the age of 2 ½ and graduated in June of 2000. In October of 2000, she started her career at Productive Alternatives. For the last five years her main job was working at Pioneer Care. She loved her co-workers and going to work. Heidi retired from her job in January 2014 when she moved with her mom and dad to their new home on Ottertail Lake.

Heidi loved everyone, but first and foremost she loved her family. She especially loved all her brothers and sisters, each of them having a very special place in her heart. Being an aunt was a role Heidi took very seriously. She loved each of her nieces and nephews so much. She was especially proud to be Godmother to Annie & Emmy.

She had very special caregivers throughout her lifetime. Her wild & crazy Aunt Brenda, good friend Fay, her special hospice nurse Naomi, her good friend Lisa Augustus, and her very special friend and neighbor, Carol Casey. Heidi also developed strong friendships with each of her wonderful doctors; Dr. Magnuson, Dr. Kenian, Dr. Levitsky, Dr. Nagle, and Dr. Najarian. Thank you all so much for taking such good care of our Heidi.
Heidi only had to meet you once and she remembered you forever. One of the very special gifts that she had was that she never judged anyone. Her positive attitude was always present. You never heard the word no, but you got an occasional “Oh Boy” with a smile! Her love for everyone was of complete sincerity and anyone who spent time with her learned to appreciate the little things in life. Heidi loved life and lived it to the fullest each and every day.

It’s almost impossible to list all the things that made Heidi happy, but a few of her very favorites were alligators, horses and puppies – actually all animals! Going to the library, Phelps Mill, sunsets, the moon shining on the lake, rainbows, ice fishing, her “Vikings” golf cart, honking horns, saying Hi to everyone she met and of course HER remote!! Heidi loved to travel and each year looked forward to her special birthday trips. Her favorite trips were to Duluth, MN to watch the big ships and Florida to watch the alligators. Heidi’s passions in life were her sports teams. She enjoyed following her teams and never missed a game. Win or lose, she truly was a devoted fan!

Heidi had many, many special people in her life, but none as special as “her Randy” (aka “The Big Guy”). Randy came into Heidi’s life when she was 7 years old and from that time on they were inseparable, they thought the world of each other.

As a mom, if I had one wish, it would be that every mom could be as blessed as I have been by having the honor and privilege of being her mom. For every one thing I taught Heidi, she taught me 10 things! From the day she was born, she has been my shining light, my reason for living. She will live on in my heart forever, and until I see her again, all my love goes with her.

Preceding her in death were her grandparents; Wilton Thompson, Roy & Neola Nelson, Beatrice Holbeck, great-gramma Wagner; aunt, Bonnie Johnson; uncle, Steve Mark; niece, McKenzie Klinnert; cousins, Jake Ness, Baby Girl Thompson & Anna Nelson.

Heidi is survived by her parents Randy & Peggy Nelson of Otter Tail Lake; siblings, Lisa (Wade) Klinnert of Wagoner, OK, Jason (Sarah) Nelson of Underwood, MN, Jeff (Robby) Albjerg of Nacogdoches, TX, Cody (Dana Lynch) Nelson of Underwood, MN, Bruce (Jen) Albjerg of Underwood, MN; grandparents, Richard & Marlene Suchy of Underwood, MN; grandpa, Floyd Mark of Dalton, MN; aunts & uncles: The Albjerg families; Russ & Bonnie Bye of Underwood, MN, Dick & Kathi Thompson of Sierra Vista, AZ, Brian & Sue Rismoen of Fergus Falls, MN, Sharon Mark of Underwood, Jim & Tammy Carter of Fergus Falls, MN, Brenda Ness of Underwood, MN; Bruce Ness of Dalton, MN, Curt & RoxAnne Thompson of Battle Lake, MN, Ron & JoAnn Thompson of Fergus Falls, MN, Bill & Lynda Dynan of Underwood, MN, Cheryl Bonowitz of Moorhead, MN, Bob Johnson of Battle Lake and Renee Nelson of Eagan, MN, Nathan & Deb Nelson of Fergus Falls, MN; nieces & nephews; Nicole (Dakota) Medley, Cody Klinnert, Maddi & Logan Nelson, Dalten and Devven Pulver, Ramsey Nelson, Carly Lynch, Annie, Emmy, Mily & Johanna Albjerg. Also surviving are Heidi’s other special family, the Hanstad’s; Bruce, Joyce, Shawn, Sarah, Jodi & Sadie, and their families.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2016 with a public prayer service at 6:30 at the funeral home. Family and friends are asked to wear their favorite sports team attire to the visitation in honor of Heidi. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton, MN
Clergy: Reverend Mark Johnson
Burial: Tordenskjold Lutheran Cemetery, rural Underwood, MN
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls