Louise Nelson

LOUISE WOELK NELSON was born on January 27, 1915, to Herman and Maria (Braun) Woelk in Ward County, North Dakota. She lived on the family farm until she moved with her parents to Dallas, South Dakota in 1920. She attended Dallas High School, graduating in 1933. She attended Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for two years. In 1935, she moved with her family to a farm east of Flandreau, South Dakota. In 1939, she became employed at the Beatrice Creamery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then, in 1941, for First National Bank in Sioux Falls. She also worked at Emma Rhode’s Bookkeeping Business. On September 15, 1951, she was united in marriage to Vernon Nelson at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm south of Garretson, South Dakota until 1960 when they moved to a farm in Alliance Township of Moody County, South Dakota, west of Jasper, Minnesota. After the death of Vernon on August 2, 1985, Louise moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where she lived until 1998 when she became a resident of Sunrise Village Assisted Living in Jasper. She moved to Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1999 so that she could be closer to her daughter. Louise returned to Flandreau, South Dakota in 2011, and entered the Riverview Healthcare Community where she died on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the age of 102 years, three months and 15 days.

Louise was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church where she was active in the Ladies Aid and her church circle. She served as the Sunday School secretary. She was known for her coffee at the church dinners and functions, and she was also known for her sour cream raisin pie. She volunteered her time as the township clerk and as the business manager for the Hermanson School District. She enjoyed spending her spare time knitting, reading and watching the Minnesota Twins.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Mary Puffer and her husband Robert of Hot Springs, South Dakota; three grandchildren, Angela Puffer, Timothy Puffer, and Benjamin (Jessica) Puffer; and one great-granddaughter, Hazel Mae Puffer. She is preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents; four brothers, Otto, Edward, George and Heinrick who died as an infant; and her sister, Erna Ziegenbalg.