HJORDIS MARILYN (MYHRE) NELSON passed peacefully Dec. 27, 2013, while residing at Sterling House assisted living in La Crosse, Wis.

Marilyn was born May 11, 1925, to Olaf and Thora (Halverson) Myhre. She graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1943, then attended Luther College, and transferred to Augustana College in Chicago, Ill., where she graduated in nursing. While at college, she also attended Patricia Stevens and modeled fashion accessories.

After college, she returned to Minnesota and was employed at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn., and then at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Marilyn met PETER ANDREW NELSON ’50 at the Houston County Fair while they were in high school, and years later they married on Sept. 11, 1948, and started a family in Caledonia, Minn. She was a devoted wife and mother and found great joy and pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her three children, David (Sandy Schiltz) of La Crosse, Wis., Douglas (Jeanne Garbers) of Portland, Ore., and Cindy Nelson of Portland, Ore.; five grandsons, Chris of Prior Lake, Minn., Dorian (Mindy) of St. Paul, Minn., Adam (Andrea) of Portland, Ore., Brad (Krista) of Bloomington, Minn., and Luke (fiancé, Leah Bartelson) of Minneapolis; one granddaughter, Danielle Sanders of Portland, Ore.; her sister, BORGHILD (MYHRE) TUECKE ’34, living in Guttenberg, Iowa; her sister-in-law, Greta Jones living in Florida; as well as seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Joseph Nelson; her husband, Peter Nelson; her brother, Oswald Myhre and his wife, Ruby; her granddaughter, Rachel Nelson; and her brothers-in-law, Cornelius Tuecke and Howard Jones.

Marilyn enjoyed a successful career as a Mary Kay representative for over 30 years. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and enjoyed the choir, circle meetings, quilting, and other activities in the church and community. Her positive perspective on life (even in her struggle with Parkinson’s disease) is an inspiration to all who knew her. Her kindness and beauty and grace will live forever.

There was a funeral service to celebrate Marilyn’s life on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 419 E. Grove St., Caledonia, Minn. The Rev. Steven E. Meyer officiated. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, or to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Caledonia. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, (Caledonia Chapel), was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com

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