Gertrude Emma Nelson - Marshall/Wood Lake

Gertrude Emma (Frank) Nelson, 103, of Marshall, formerly of Wood Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, May 18, 2015 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Posen Township. Visitation will be from 3-5 pm on Sunday at Morningside Heights Care Center Chapel in Marshall and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Gertrude Emma Frank was born May 25, 1911 to Herman and Margarethe (Sawatzke) Frank on the family farm near Wood Lake. Gertrude confirmed her faith in 1925 at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where she remained a faithful member throughout her life. She attended public school and later the Christian Day School sponsored by St. Luke’s congregation. On March 12, 1944, Gertrude was united in marriage to Morris Nelson at Zion Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo, California where Morris was stationed in the military. After Morris’ honorable discharge, the couple returned home to the family farm where Gertrude was born and began their life together raising their children. Gertrude was a homemaker, but also helped on the farm, and worked at Ristvidts store in Cottonwood for 7 years. Gertrude and Morris remained on the farm until 1974 when they moved into Wood Lake, and in 1998, they moved to Marshall to live at Hill Street Place. Gertrude enjoyed her life at Hill Street Place often playing cards, bingo, and doing puzzles. She enjoyed sitting at her organ playing a concert of music, welcoming new people and helping them feel at home, and loved to share the bounty of sweet corn, apples, pears, and other fruits and vegetables delivered by her family. On Friday, May 15, 2015, Gertrude passed away at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, Minnesota at the age of 103, ten days short of 104. She is survived by her two children Larry (Karen) Nelson and Karen (Chuck) Fischer, grandson Justin Nelson (fiancé Andrea Johnke), granddaughter Allison (Allen) King and great grandchildren Mikaela King, Jaden Barnes, Karsten King, and Austin Nelson. She is preceded in death by her husband Morris, her parents, her sister Eilleen Bahn, and grandson Jeffrey Fischer. Blessed be her memory.