Funeral services for Sandra E. Nelson, 63, of Hayward, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Edward&8217;s Catholic Church in Austin. The Rev. Jon Moore will officiate. Interment will be in Hayward Cemetery. Visitation is 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home.

Sandra died Sunday, July 29, 2007, at her home in Hayward after a long battle with cancer.

Sandra Ellen Nelson was born July 4, 1944, to Leonard J. and Grace (Buehner) Cotter in Albert Lea. She attended St. Edward&8217;s Catholic Church and graduated from Austin High School. In her youth, Sandra was active in 4-H showing award-winning steers. On Sept. 8, 1962, she was united in marriage to Jon A. Nelson at St. Edward&8217;s Catholic Church in Austin. The couple has lived in Hayward for the last 42 years. Sandra retired from the Hayward Co-op Elevator after over 20 years as a bookkeeper. She enjoyed rummage sales, NASCAR and spending time at the Mississippi River Valley. Sandra especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Jon of Hayward; sons, Michael and his wife Teri Nelson of Albert Lea and Patrick and his wife Laurie Nelson of Rochester; grandchildren, Cody and Samantha Nelson of Rochester and Amanda and Cara Nelson of Albert Lea; brother, Fred Cotter of Tennessee; sisters, Judy Kitchen of North Carolina and Karen Johnsrud of Clarks Grove; her mother, Grace Cotter of Austin; and mother-in-law, Ginny Nelson of Hayward.

Sandra was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Cotter.