Ethel Nelson

Age 98, of Alexandria, passed away on November 25, 2008. Ethel was born September 12, 1910 in Belle River Township, near Alexandria, MN, the daughter of Gust and Ellen (Shogren) Mattson. She attended District 77 School in Carlos Township, graduated from Alexandria High School in 1928, and completed the teacher-training program there. After teaching one year at District 27 School in rural Douglas County, she married Rudolph B. Nelson of LaGrande Township in July 1930. They lived in the Twin Cities until 1941, and then lived in Sauk Rapids/St. Cloud for forty years. Upon retirement, they returned to the Alexandria area, first living in town and later on Lake Cowdry. Rudy Nelson died in 1989. Since 2001, Ethel has been a resident of Bethany Home, where her sisters also reside. Ethel Nelson brought intellect, creativity, humor and compassion to all that she did. Her nine surviving children each benefited from her active parenting and support. All nine children completed college degrees. She contributed significantly to the work of her church, Salem Lutheran in St. Cloud and Calvary Lutheran in Alexandria. Her partnership with husband Rudy was the source of numerous achievements and they complemented each other in important ways. Both were active in the Boy Scouts. Ethel was a Cub Scout Den Mother for eleven years. The Nelsons raised fancy-breed chickens, which they showed at the Benton County Fair and Minnesota State Fair. Ethel served as secretary to various poultry associations. She was a member of the Aristonian Club and a life member of the Minnesota Parent Teachers Association. All the while, she was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to hundreds of people. Ethel was preceded in death by husband, Rudolph; son, Rudolph, Jr.; brothers, Harold, Edwin, and Reuben Mattson; sisters, Reggie Olstead and Edith Bolin. She is survived by nine children: Gloria (Stan) Clewett, Homosassa, FL; Marilyn (Donald) Hill, Northfield, MN; Elinor (James) Couture, White Bear Lake, MN; William, Fargo, ND; Donald (Janet), Fridley, MN; JoAnn (Curt) Hogenson, St. Paul, MN; Carol (Charles) Adleman, Luck, WI; John (Nancy), Excelsior MN; and David (Lori), Darien, CT. Ethel is also survived by 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eunice Gordon and Gloria Southward, Alexandria; sisters-in-law, Ruth Mattson and Irene Nelson, Alexandria; brother-in-law, Reuben Bolin, Alexandria; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2008 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Rev. Mark Astrup will officiate. Becky Worley and Bill Riggs will provide music. Interment will follow in the Fahlun Lutheran Cemetery at Nelson, MN. Casket Bearers will be Len Clewett, Steve Hill, Gary Hill, Jay Couture, John Adleman and Chris Nelson. Visitation will be from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM Saturday at the church. Memorials are preferred to Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria or Fahlun Lutheran Church at Nelson, MN. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria, MN.