Grace A. Nelson

Grace A. Nelson age 96, formerly of Vasa passed away peacefully October 2nd at Mill City Senior Living of Faribault with family by her side. 

Grace was born October 15, 1927 in Leon Township of Goodhue County to William Jennings and Esther (Larson) Miller. She attended a one room schoolhouse (District 42) and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1945, going on to receive a teaching certificate. She taught at a one room schoolhouse (District 15) near Cannon Falls. She married Sterling Nelson on March 8, 1947. They moved to a farm in Vasa Township in 1950 and lived there the next 63 years. They retired to Cannon Falls. 

Grace and Sterling enjoyed traveling the world for three decades, exploring sites on six continents. Grace was a long time member of Vasa Lutheran Church and a Miriam Girls leader. She also was a board member of the Vasa Museum. Grace enjoyed hardanger embroidery and taught classes for several years. Grace enjoyed researching the family genealogy including multiple trips to Sweden and Norway with Sterling to investigate and document family history. Besides raising her five children on the farm, she enjoyed gardening, including her beloved gladiolas and strawberry patch.

Grace is survived by children Bruce (Barb Watts) of St. Paul, Roger of Roseville, Carol Hansen of New Richland, Donald (Marilyn) of Caney, KS, and Dareld (Carolyn) of Edna, KS. Grandchildren Benjamin Nelson of Roseville, Patrick Nelson of Maplewood; Levi Hansen of Fairbanks, AK, Maja Hansen of Grand Meadow, Bretta Hansen of Mankato; Sarah Nelson of Lawrence, KS, Craig Nelson of Cold Spring, Ryan Nelson of Lakewood, CO; Jennifer (Adam) Smith of Edna, KS and Natalie Nelson of Claremore, OK. Great grandchildren Isaac Hansen and Juniper Hansen of Fairbanks, AK, Levi Kirby of Belmont, NC, Jackson Brand and Thomas Brand of Mankato; Kayden Smith and Addilyn Smith of Edna, KS. Also, sisters Lois (Meryl) Watson of Red Wing, and Elaine Meyers of Scotts Valley, CA. Grace was preceded in death by husband Sterling Nelson, parents William Jennings and Esther Miller, brothers William Miller, John Miller, and sisters Francis Callstrom, Mary Urvig, Shirley Berg, and Irene Berg.

Memorials are suggested to the Vasa Museum or to the Vasa Lutheran Church Stained-glass Fund.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at Vasa Lutheran Church, 15235 Norelius Rd, Welch, MN 55089.. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 pm, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Lundberg Funeral Home, 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Vasa Lutheran Cemetery. Grace's funeral will be live streamed and may be viewed by clicking play, below.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Grace's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11:00 am. It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.