Marie Delores Nelson
was born on June 23, 1931 to Charles and Anna (Becker) Schmitz in Dundee, Minnesota. On July 5, 1931, she was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee. In 1939, she moved with her family to Brewster, Minnesota where she attended school. While in high school, she was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corp. After her graduation from Brewster High School in 1950, she attended Johnson Beauty Academy in Mankato, Minnesota, graduating in 1951. She then became an instructor at the school for two years. In 1954, she moved to Fulda, Minnesota where she owned and operated a beauty shop for three years. On November 21, 1955, she was united in marriage to Robert Nelson at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster. Following their marriage, they resided on a farm near Pipestone, Minnesota. She kept busy raising her children, tending the house and helping with all the activities on the farm. Bob preceded her in death on July 8, 2010. After his death she continued living on the farm until January 2021 when she moved to Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone and then in January 2024, she moved to Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Monday, March 18, 2024, she entered the Pipestone County Hospice House and passed away there on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at the age of 92 years.
Marie was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone where she taught Sunday School for many years and was involved in Catholic Daughters of America, Court St. John’s #1371, and Council of Catholic Women. She was also a member of American Legion Auxiliary and Neighborhood Coffee Club. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and reading. She was known for having a dessert on the counter almost every day and made many delicious peach pies. She enjoyed going on many bus tours. She also enjoyed coffee with the rural neighbors and attending aquanastics at the Rec Center with the “Water Lilies”. She looked forward to the annual reunion pool parties at Dick and Mary’s and the family vacations at Green Lake in Spicer, Minnesota. She always loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is lovingly remembered by her children, Cindy (Tom) Houselog, David Nelson and Tom (Sara) Nelson, all of Pipestone, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Eric (Katie) Houselog, Alison (Josh) Carlson, Matthew (Jennifer) Houselog, Kellie (Lucas) Lorenzen, Paul (Frankie) Nelson, Mitchell (Nicole) Nelson and Lynn (Levi) Larsen; 18 great-grandchildren, Caden and Will Houselog, Ethan, Noah and Graham Carlson, Hudson and Henna Houselog, Elyse, Madison, Leo and Isaac Lorenzen, Robert, Roanin and Haizlee Nelson, Maya and Casey Nelson and Leightyn and Lennyn Larsen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; son, Jeffrey; daughter-in-law, Kristi Jo Nelson; and four brothers and two sisters.
