Merlene I Nelson

Merlene I. Nelson December 21, 1915 - October 15, 2012

Merlene I. Nelson, age 96, of Faribault, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2012 at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault with her family at her side. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault, with the Rev. Richard L. Jorgensen, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault. Merlene I. Jenson, the daughter of James and Christine (Christenson) Jenson, was born on December 21, 1915 in Albert Lea Township, Freeborn County, MN. She attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School with the class of 1933. Merlene then attended the Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in Albert Lea graduating in 1937. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Owatonna for several years. She married Harold Nelson on October 20, 1941. In 1946 they moved to Faribault. She worked at St. Lucas Hospital, District One Hospital, and St. Lucas Care Center. Harold preceded her in death on January 23, 1982. She is survived by four daughters, Carolyn Fritz of Faribault, JoAnne (Jim) Heintz of Golden Valley, MN, Alice (Art) Schulz of Plymouth, and Margaret (Dave) Wolf of Faribault; seven grandchildren, Laura (Steve) Mitchell and children, Sky & Ona, Mary (Steve) Hazelton, Jen (Larry) Spencer and children, Elise & Drew, Andrew Heintz, Katie Schulz, Beth (Chris) Smith, and Ben Wolf; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son-in-law, Thomas Fritz; five sisters, Stella, Anna, Bernice, Myra, and Shirley; and seven brothers, Harry, Elmer, Ronald, Luman, Clive, Foster and James. Memorials may be directed to First English Lutheran Church or the donor''s choice in memory of Merlene.