Cover photo for Beverly Nelson's Obituary
Beverly Nelson Profile Photo
1936 Beverly 2017

Beverly Nelson

September 23, 1936 — May 27, 2017

Beverly Joanne Nelson, 80, Moorhead, died Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Sanford Palliative Care.

Bev was born in North LaMoure, N.D. to Oscar and Bess Jensen on September 23, 1936. She grew up on a farm, and was an only child who loved animals, sewing dolls and school. She was baptized and confirmed at North LaMoure Lutheran Church. She graduated from Litchville High School in 1954 and attended technical college for business. In 1955, she met Duane Nelson and they were married at North LaMoure Lutheran Church on June 8, 1956. They moved to Valley City, N.D. where they started their family. Bev worked at First Community Credit Union in Valley City.

In 1971, Bev and Duane moved their family to Hitterdal, Minn. Bev worked for Homestart, Headstart, and then Lakes and Prairies Action Partnership, where she spent 34 years as Clay County Senior Director, a senior citizen advocate, ensuring seniors’ needs were met. She loved her work and taught her children the value of work ethic, faith in God, the importance of education, and most of all, putting family first. She encouraged her kids to pursue their dreams.

Bev was a proud Norwegian and was grateful to travel to Norway to meet relatives in 2004. She was also a fan of music and enjoyed traveling to Branson, Missouri with Duane. She was a seamstress, she loved to read, and especially loved spending time at the lake with family and friends. Bev valued civic involvement and was one of few women to serve on the Hitterdal City Council for more than 20 years. She loved to debate politics, quiz her children and grandchildren about current events, and was sharp-witted.

Her happiest times were with Duane and her children and grandchildren around her. After Duane’s death in 2002, Bev continued to live in Hitterdal and worked full-time up until her retirement on April 23, 2010. She was active in Salem Lutheran Church where she had her special pew in the balcony, and enjoyed being a part of the Salem Quilters Club and Ladies Aid.

In the Fall of 2015, Bev fell and after a long recovery decided to move to Eventide Assisted Living in Moorhead, where she lived until her death.

On May 12, after a terminal cancer diagnosis, Bev fought with heart to be strong for her family until her death two weeks later.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, Bess and Oscar, her husband Duane, and an infant baby boy, Duane’s parents Gladys and Elmer Nelson and his sisters and their spouses, Maxine Burton Langerud and Shirley Al Moreland.

Surviving Bev are her children and their families: David Sherry Nelson, Hitterdal; Tom Nelson, Hitterdal; Barb Chuck Nelson-Agnew, Mahnomen; Krista Dauner, Hawley; Sonya Troy Goergen, Moorhead; Eric Erin Nelson, Cedar Rapids, IA. Grandchildren: Shawn Teresa Nelson, Hawley; Jacob Nelson, Hitterdal; Zachary Emily Nelson, Hawley; Ben Agnew, Twin Valley; Brilyn Sean Agnew, Honolulu, HI; Jordan Nelson, Moorhead; Taylor Dauner, Hawley; Michael Agnew, Mahnomen; Addison Dauner, Hawley; Dru Dauner, Hawley; Olivia Goergen, Moorhead; Gabriel Goergen, Moorhead; Graham Nelson, Cedar Rapids, IA; Parker Nelson, Cedar Rapids, IA; great-grandchildren Brayden and Rylan Nelson, Hawley. She also has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bev’s children are thankful for the incredible, compassionate care she received at Eventide, Sanford, and especially the Sanford Palliative Care Unit. We love you, Mom and you will always be a part of us.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Beverly Nelson, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, June 5, 2023

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN

MN

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Service

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Salem Lutheran Church

201 MN-32, Hitterdal, MN 56552

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Cemetery

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Salem East Cemetery

MN

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