Gretchen Nelson

Gretchen Nelson May 12, 1940 - April 19, 2009

Gretchen (Schwichtenberg) Nelson, age 68, of Faribault, died on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at her home following an extended illness. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church at Sacred Heart in Faribault. Private interment will be held at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault. Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Monday, May 11th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Faribault Area Hospice in Gretchen''s memory. Gretchen Mary Schwichtenberg, the daughter of Martin and Grace (Rosseau) Schwichtenberg, was born on May 12, 1940 in Faribault. She was united in marriage to James C. Nelson on July 25, 1959 in Faribault. Gretchen graduated from Faribault High School and was a beauty operator for 5 years. She owned and operated Stone Church Antiques and later co-owned Century 21 Real Estate with Charles Reineke. Gretchen loved painting, gardening, fishing and good friends. She is survived by her husband Jim of Faribault; three children, Karla (John) Furey, James Jay (Sue) Nelson, both of Faribault, and Mitchell Nelson of Rochester; five grandchildren, Cassidy Furey, Brandon Furey, Ashley Nelson, Denielle Greenwaldt and Ervy Greenwaldt; two brothers, Tom (Bonnie) Schwichtenberg of St. Cloud and Clay Schwichtenberg of Faribault; brother-in-law, Jerry (Jan) Nelson of Red Wing; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rehl Ann Moreau; brother-in-law, Al Moreau; nephew, Dan Moreau; and parents, Martin and Grace Schwichtenberg.