Carolyn Edith Nelson

The memorial service for Carolyn Nelson of Staples will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Staples. Friends may call at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the time of service. Carolyn passed away on February 9, 2015, at the Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples, MN. She was 78 years old and under the care of Lakewood Hospice. Carolyn “Katie” was born to Carroll and Gertrude (Strand) Cates in Minneapolis, MN on April 12, 1936. Shortly after birth she relocated to Independence, IA where her father owned and operated a hardware store. After her high school graduation, the family moved back to Minnesota and settled into Richfield, MN where Carolyn attended two years of nursing education at the Swedish Hospital. Carolyn met her beloved husband Warren “Pat” Nelson on a blind date. They were united in marriage on July 1, 1956, at the Hope Presbyterian Church in Richfield.. Warren and Carolyn operated a dairy farm in St. Francis MN, where they raised their daughters and grieved the loss of their infant son. In 1971, Staples, MN became their home where they farmed for many years. Carolyn and Warren became active members of the Alliance Church. Because of her deep faith, Carolyn served as a Deaconess for many years. It was important for her to love her God and serve others. She was certain to put her husband and family first. Her passions in life included living for Christ, bird watching, vegetable gardening, reading and music. Carolyn was an avid reader and extremely talented knitter. She took great joy in knitting sweaters and blankets for her close friends and family. Warren and Carolyn retired from farming in 1997 and moved to a cozy home on their daughter’s property in Motley MN. Due to declining health they moved into The Pines in Staples in 2012, where they enjoyed the company of many special people. Carolyn’s prayers were answered on Feb. 9, 2015, when she was born into eternal life. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Carroll and Gertrude; and infant son David. She is survived by her loving husband Warren “Pat” Nelson; daughters Debra (David) Mennis of Benson, Kathy (Denny) Ulmer of Park Rapids, Lori (Ross) Miller of Verndale, and Becky (Jay) Landis of Motley; foster daughters Lucille Ellefson Hanson and Lauretta Ellefson Curtin; grandchildren Leah Montgomery, Emily Cummings, Sarah Frieden, Anna Ulmer, Jason Miller, Darcy Miller, Zackery Weber, Ernest Weber, Amy Waldvogel, Rachel Aakre and Rebekah Daly & 18 great-grandchildren; along with sister Margaret “Peggy” Hesselback. Honorary urnbearers will be David Mennis, Denny Ulmer and Ross Miller. Jay Landis will serve as urnbearer. Burial will be held at a later date in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls, MN.

Carolyn Edith Nelson

April 12, 1936 - February 9, 2015