Aurolea Deloris Nelson was born on July 5, 1926 in Urness Township, the daughter of Emil and Ella (Thompson) Randstad. She later moved to Brainerd where she graduated from Brainerd High School in 1943. After graduation she went to Seattle, WA to work for Boeing Aircraft during the war. After the war she returned to Brainerd and worked as a secretary for Northern Pacific Railroad. Aurolea met her future husband at the roller rink, accidently falling into his arms on the rink. They were married on June 30, 1950 at the Congregational Church in Mill Bank, SD. Together they raised three children Becky, Bruce, and Patrick.
They lived in Alexandria their entire married lives. Aurolea worked for District #206 for many years becoming the director of food services for the last 12 years before she retired in late 1980’s. Aurolea was a faithful member of the First Congregational UCC Church in Alexandria. She was superintendent of Sunday school and very active in Circle and Women’s fellowship. Aurolea was a great cook and was known for her scalloped potatoes, fudge, and her favorite candy black licorice. She was a gifted quilter and even won a Grand Champion Ribbon at the Douglas County Fair with one of her quilts. Aurolea enjoyed her time with Bob. Together they went fishing and hunting. They liked to square dance and roller dance in their younger years. Some of Aurolea’s hobbies were bowling, quilting, and spending precious time with her grandchildren.
Aurolea D. Nelson died on Friday, February 5, 2016 at Diamond Willow at the age of 89 years old. She is survived by her husband Robert Nelson of Alexandria; sons Bruce Nelson of Minneapolis and Patrick (Leigh) Nelson of Alexandria; son-in-law Steve Bloom of Oregon; grandchildren Benjamin (Sarah) Bloom, Molly Bloom (Sonny Mohammadzedeh), John (Aure’lie) Bloom, and Austin “AJ” Nelson; great grandchildren Atticus Finch Mohammadzedeh, Riyaz Ira Bloom Mohammadzedeh, Paul Bloom and Adam Bloom; and a sister Estelle Brown of Brainerd, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Becky, brother Dorland, and a sister Bonnie.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 11AM at First Congregational UCC Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.