Funeral services for Frances G. Nelson, of New Richland, will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Vista Evangelical Covenant Church, rural New Richland. The Rev. Steve Thompson will officiate. Interment will be in the Vista Covenant Cemetery. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church.
Frances died early Saturday morning, Nov. 1, at the New Richland Care Center after a very brave and courageous battle with cancer. She was 71.
She was born in Albert Lea on Sept. 26, 1937, a twin daughter of Gehard and Amanda (Munson) Strenge. Frances attended Mankato State and then worked in Albert Lea at Wilson & Co. in the order department.
Frances married John D. Nelson on Dec. 29, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. Together they lived and farmed north of New Richland.
A member of Vista Evangelical Covenant Church, she sang in the church choir and also held secretary and treasurer jobs for many years. She had served as president for the local Extension club for several years.
Frances had many hobbies, she liked to organize photos, do cross stitching and she especially enjoyed sewing. She made most of her own clothes. She and John also enjoyed traveling, especially to Branson, Mo.
She is survived by her husband John of New Richland; her son Tim Nelson and his wife Torunn of New Richland and their daughter Elisabeth; one brother Gary Strenge and his wife Pam of New Richland; twin sister Faith and her husband Alvin Youngberg of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother-in-law Wayne Nelson and his wife Gloria of Waseca; sisters-in-law: Dorothy and her husband Darwin Davis of Victoria, Texas, Marlys Blom of Jackson, and Dolores Nelson of Waseca; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law, Roger Nelson and George Blom.
Frances’ life centered on faith and family. Times when the family was together were cherished treasures to her. She felt especially gifted to have been granted time to spend with her little blessing, granddaughter Elisabeth.