Jean Patricia Nelson, age 83, of Wells, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. The Rev. Meg Sander will officiate. Visitation will be held at one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Wells.

Jean was born Sept. 15, 1921 in Bricelyn, the daughter of Roy and Carmen (Hanson) Shirk. The family moved to a home rear Wells where she attended high school. She married George H. Nelson on Oct. 29, 1939, at the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Wells. The couple lived in Hollandale and moved to Minnetonka during World War II, when her husband was called to serve in the Army. She moved the family to Kiester. They moved to Wells in 1945 where they owned and operated the Chatter Box Cafe for several years. They owned and operated Nelson Flooring in Wells. She was a cook at the Wells Hospital. In 1972, she bought The Cook’s Table Restraunt, which she owned and operated for 25 years. She cooked meals for the Senior Dining for many years. She was a member of the Wells American Legion Auxiliary and a past president. She was also a member of the Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary, and past member of the Chamber of Commerce. She served as the Grand Marshal for the Kernel’s Days parade. She loved working crossword puzzles, reading and watching game shows with her favorites being Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She loved watching Alfred Hitchcock movies. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie and her husband John Goossen of Maplewood, Minn.; son, Fred and his wife Pat Nelson of Albert Lea; six grandchildren: John and wife Susan Shepherd of St. Cloud, Susan and husband Mark Kelly of St. Paul, Patty and husband Gordy Meyer of Wells,

John and wife Sharyn Nelson of Eagan, Eric Nelson of Mankato, and Mike Nelson (currently serving in Afghanistan); six great-grandchildren: Sawyer and Harrison Shepherd of St. Cloud, Whitney and Atticus Kelly of St. Paul, Brandee Meyer of Wells, and Kayla Nelson of Eagan; one sister, Mary Hollub of Palm City, Fla.; and two stepsisters: Lucille and husband Manny Fuchs of Wells, and Marian Meyer of Wells; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins..

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1998; and one sister, Shirley Quenvold.

She will be sadly missed by her family.