Funeral services for Virginia Leigh Nelson, 87, of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Virginia died Monday, March 30, 2015, at St. John’s Lutheran Community.

Virginia Leigh Nelson was born Nov. 11, 1927, near Burt, Iowa, the daughter of Ethan Allen and Mary Jane (Rich) Light. Virginia attended country schools near Burt and Rake, Iowa, and graduated from Rake High School in 1945.

Virginia was united in marriage to Donald H. Nelson on June 22, 1947, in Albert Lea. She was a homemaker and also worked as a sales person and assembler for F.W. Woolworth, Wallace’s and International Electric Fence. Virginia was a member of United Methodist Church of Albert Lea and Glenville United Methodist Church. She enjoyed baking, knitting and going on family vacations.

Survivors include her children Steven (Cherri) Nelson and Debra (Ronald) Venem; grandchildren Brad (Lori) Nelson and Andy (Angie) Nelson; great-grandchildren Kyle, Alex and Erik Nelson and Michaela, Zachary, Christian and Nataleigh Nelson; sisters Harriet VandeGrift and Pat (Roger) Bekaert; brothers Dale (Dee) Light and John (Ginny) Light; and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Gordy (Sliz) Hammond, Shirley (Howard) Hubbard, Ken (Dorothy) Nelson, Howard VandeGrift and Donna Light.