Aileen "Sally" Roberta Nelson

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Aileen "Sally" Roberta Nelson, 89, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2006, at Christian Health Care in Nevada. She was born Jan. 21, 1917, in La Crosse, Wis., to Carlos Mendell and Minnie Rudrud Mendell. She married Lauritz "Nels" Nelson on New Year's Eve, 1936.

Aileen was a 1935 graduate of La Crosse Central High School. She worked at Doerflingers Department Store, The Mosaic Tile Company, Anthony's Department Store and the House of Bonsai, all in LaCrosse. She, along with her husband, were charter members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. For 20 years, she was a member of the South Side Christian Church. Gardening was a passion for Aileen and Lauritz which included their oriental garden. She loved the times they spent on the "House Boat Heidi" where they enjoyed their grandchildren and friends.

Survivors include one son, Ronald and Corky Nelson; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Troy and Tammy Nelson, Aaron and Michaela, Joplin, Mo., Kipling and Catherine Nelson-Grace, Lauritz and Garrett, all of Olathe, Kan., Heather and Steven Keathly, Laurel, Md., Ryan and Sara Nelson-Reed and Ashton, Albuquerque, N.M. She is also survived by one sister, Doris Strange; one brother, Robert Mendell; sister-in-law, Mona Mendell, sister-in-law, Lois Nelson, and many nieces and nephews.

Aileen was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Larry Nelson; husband, Lauritz "Nels" Nelson; one brother, Dean Mendell; brother-in-law, Malcolm Nelson, and sister-in-law, Mildred Mendell.

A memorial service will be held in Richards, Mo., at Rinehart Christian Church on Friday, July 21, at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a memorial service and burial in Wisconsin at a later date.

Memorials may be given to the Home of God's Love Children's Home, Taiwan, China, or Ozark Christian College, Joplin.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com