Louise Nelson

Louise A. Nelson Louise A. Nelson, 75, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Battle Lake, MN, died on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at St. Francis Healthcare Campus in Breckenridge, MN. Louise was born on March 1, 1932, in Leaf Mountain Township in Ottertail County, the daughter of Albin and Hazel (Bjork) Listrom. She was baptized and confirmed at Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church and attended rural school near the family farm. On December 30, 1950, Louise married Donald Nelson in Fergus Falls. The couple made their home in Fergus Falls until moving to Breckenridge, MN in 1952. They moved to Milbank, SD in 1975 and in 1979 moved to West Fargo where they made their home until retiring and moving to Battle Lake, MN in 1991. Don died in 1991 and Louise continued to live in Battle Lake until 2005 when she moved to Fargo. She moved to St. Francis Health Care in Breckenridge in October 2007. Louise grew up during The Depression and learned the importance of hard work as a hired girl at the age of 12. She worked a variety of jobs during her lifetime, but her main calling was caring for others. She worked at St. Francis Home in Breckenridge in the late 60?s to the mid 70?s. While in West Fargo she worked for about 10 years at the Villa Maria Nursing Home. Retirement in Battle Lake did not mean an end to helping others. Louise cared for several elderly people making it possible for them to stay in their homes. She opened her heart and home to many in need. Many people enjoyed Louise?s delicious home-baked goodies, especially her pies ? always served with a good portion of story telling. She had a great sense of humor and her laughter would put a smile on anyone?s face. When Don passed away in 1991, Louise taught herself how to quilt to help ease her grief and loneliness. She made seventeen quilts ? all hand-stitched. They were true works of art and are cherished by those who received them. Louise is survived by her six children: Jacque (David) Forsythe of Arcadia, FL; Valerie (Diane Gira) Nelson of Wahpeton, ND; Douglas (Camille) Nelson of Underwood, MN; Sherry (Barry Day) Rapp of Seaside, OR; Scott (Erin) Nelson of Milwaukee, WI; and Chad Nelson of Fargo, ND.; her five grandchildren: Christopher (Tyler) Forsythe, Sarah (Stephen) Altomari, Madison Nelson-Gira, Joe Nelson, and Emily Nelson; five step-grandchildren Lisa (Bobby) Guy, Sarah Karaz, Rebecca (Narcis) Tudor, Samantha and Katie Johnson; one great grandchild, Stephen Altomari Jr.; and five step great grandchildren, Brandon, Breyahna, and Braden Guy, Justus Tudor, and Sophia Karaz; sisters Beverly Bjerketvedt of Henning, MN, Romayne Schlagel of Tucson, AZ, Berniece Herness of Battle Lake, MN, and Selma Alfredson of Battle Lake; brothers Marlin Listrom of Perham, MN and Delmer Listrom of Alexandria, MN.; brothers and sisters-in-law Jerome Nelson of Fergus Falls, Loren Nelson of Fargo, David Nelson of Morris, Deloris Eckert of Forest Lake, and Karen Adelsman of Apple Valley and many nieces and nephews. Memorials are preferred to the Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church. Visitation:          5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Olson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the                          service at the church. Service:          11 a.m. Monday at Leaf Mountain Church, rural Clitherall Clergy:               Reverend John Okan Burial:               Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home:          Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.