Nancy Lawson

Nancy Eleanor Lawson, 98, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. She was born January 6, 1914, in Ida Grove, Iowa, the daughter of George S. and Esther (Dahlberg) Lawson of English, Dutch and Swedish heritage. When Nancy was 15 months old the family moved to South Dakota where she attended grade school in Bruel, South Dakota. She then resided with her Aunt Jessie where she graduated from Ida Grove High School and also Normal Teacher’s Training in 1932. Nancy then passed the State Teacher’s Exam and taught school for two years in Ida Grove. At the age of 20 she moved to Washington DC where she worked as a companion for an elderly woman for one year. Residing with her uncle, she then worked at the American University for two semesters. Nancy attended nurse’s training at Garfield Memorial Hospital in Washington DC where she earned her R.N. Degree. After working as a student nurse she also worked two years as a staff nurse. She then attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh for two years, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in public health and teacher education. Her internship was in public health for one year in Marian City, Ohio. Nancy then worked in Middletown, Ohio as a supervisor and teacher in their school of nursing. She then worked in City Hospital as assistant education director and education director for seven years. When Nancy’s mother became ill, she returned to Minneapolis to care for her, along with her sister Jesse. She worked at Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing in nursing education and the Minnesota Department of Health in Minneapolis in a special federal project for training Home Health Aides for two years. Following this, she worked for ten years in Fergus Falls as a Public Health Consultant for the nine counties of District 7. She retired on January 6, 1979. She was a member of the Federated Church in Fergus Falls and AARP. She was also a past member of the American Public Health Association, the Nurse’s Association, the Camera Club, and assisted with organizing the Y’s Folks. Nancy also worked on the organizing committee for Habitat for Humanity and the Fergus Falls Food Shelf. Nancy traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, and Tokyo, and a favorite hobby was photography. Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters, Ida Kathryn “Kay” Schneller, Josephine Besore, and Margaret (Wendell) Brown, and a brother, Irving Lawson. Survivors include a sister, Jesse Guelich of Emilie, Minnesota, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2012, at The Federated Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Doug Dent Interment: Riverview Cemetery, Chamberlain, South Dakota Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to the Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf.