Dorothy Vivian Nelson

Dorothy Vivian Nelson passed away into the arms of her heavenly Father on June 9, 2009 at the age of 94 years. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11 AM at First Baptist Church in Milaca with Rev. Adrian Bolt and Rev. Joel Severson officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visiation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. Music will be provided by the “Songmasters”, Jerry and Ginger Dallin. Casketbearers will include Alex Smith, Rex Nelson, Jace Erickson, Jamison VandenEinde, Art VanDeWater and Zach Berg. Honorary casketbearers include Major Reed Erickson and Major Randy Erickson. Dorothy was born August 21, 1914 near Grasston, MN to Henry and Esther (Peterson) LaTourelle. She was united in marriage to Russell Marvin Nelson on November 4, 1939 in Anoka, MN. Dorothy attended school in Grasston, MN and upon graduation, she went to Normal Training and became a teacher. Her first job was teaching in a one-room school house near Henriette, MN and she still did some substitute teaching when she and Russell moved to Milaca in 1950. Russell and Dorothy were faithful members of First Baptist Church in Milaca. Dorothy served as a deaconess, Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Baptist Christian Women’s president, and in many other leadership positions within the church. Selling Avon was one thing that Dorothy was very proud of, selling it for over 40 years. But her most important role was being the wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that she was. Dorothy touched the hearts of many people and will always be remembered as a very special lady. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Russell in 2006; her parents; brothers, Bruce, Harry and Duane and sisters, Jenny in infancy, Grace, Ella and Lou. She is survived by her children, Jerry (Julie) of Aitkin, MN, Ronald of Dayton, MN, Carol (Gary) Erickson of Deer River, MN, Joann (Dallas) VandenEinde of Grand Rapids, MN and Susan (Jack) Berg of Dayton, MN; fourteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; also by many other relatives and friends, including the loving, caring staff and residents at the Caley House and Elim Home in Princeton, MN.