Laura Bonnie Nelson

Laura Bonnie Nelson, age 85, of Litchfield, MN died on Sunday April 15, 2018 at her home in Litchfield, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday at Zion Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Laura Bonnie Nelson, daughter of Gilford and Caroline (Lee) Olson was born on January 2, 1933 in Flandreau, South Dakota. She was baptised and confirmed at Lone Rock Lutheran Church near the Olson family farm in Moody County SD. She moved to Pipestone to work for room and board and attend high school graduating in 1950. She attended business school and married Keith Nelson on November 5, 1950 in Minneapolis MN. They lived and worked in Mankato while Keith was a student at Mankato State College. His first teaching job at Verdi moved the growing family to Lake Benton and after five years to Milan, before settling in Litchfield in 1965. Many lasting friendships were formed during those early years of faculty wives social and service activities. Bonnie worked as a nurses aide at Appleton Hospital, then at Meeker County Hospital for 25 years and retired in 1991. Bonnie was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, involved with many groups such as quilting, Alter Guild, Circle, Bible Study, WELCA, Macs and Naps. She was also a member of MN GFWC Women's Study Club of Litchfield, Lioness Club, and Hospital Auxiliary. Bonnie enjoyed folk art painting and Norwegian crafts, gardening, and trips with family and friends. Bonnie and Keith fulfilled dreams by purchasing property and building a cabin on Long Lake by Longville. They loved the work, the outdoors and sharing time there with family and friends. Bonnie was a selfless caregiver, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She was a loving wife caring for Keith at home until his death in February, 2009. She loved spending time with her family and proudly supported all the grandchildren in their academic, music, art, and athletic pursuits. Bonnie is survived by her children Mark (Karen) Nelson of Hettinger, ND, Kay Nelson and husband Steve Cook of Hutchinson, MN, Dean (Martha) Nelson of Hanover, MN, Joleen Nelson of Glencoe, MN and Romona Nelson of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren Kirk (Charity) Nelson, Kara (Drew) Bennett, Nathaniel (Emily) Cook, Nolan Cook, Annika Nelson and Ingrid Nelson; great granddaughter Selah Nelson; sister Enid Meyer of Cottage Grove, MN; sister-in-law Carolyn Garry of Surprise, AZ; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Gilford and Caroline; husband Keith; infant son David; brother Roland; brother-in-law Curtis Meyer; and in-laws Vernon and Dorothy Nelson and Geraldine and Clifford Spencer. Bonnie loved the Lord and served Him by humbly serving others. The family asks that you remember the love, joy, and peace she gave by sharing and serving others