Virginia Nelson, 84, Minot and formerly of Dazey, ND died peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2024 with her husband at her side. She had been battling Alzheimer’s Disease for the past six years.
Virginia Rae was the first born child of Edwin and Evelyn (Haugen) Lausch of Dazey, ND on October 9, 1940 in Sharon, ND. The following year brought a new sister/playmate, Betty, and so began the fun of growing up on the farm. Ginny (as she became known) attended a one room country school. Some days they rode their bikes to school and some stormy winter days meant a ride in a sleigh behind a horse. Ginny attended high school in Dazey, where she participated in basketball and track.
After graduation Ginny attended Interstate Business College in Fargo. While in Fargo she met Donald Nelson. They were married on September 4, 1960 in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dazey, ND. After some time in Fargo and the birth of their first son Jeffrey, the couple moved to Valley City. Don’s work moved them next to Gregory, SD then Sioux Falls, SD and back to Grand Forks, ND. Then, it was back to Valley City, ND where Ginny worked for Foss Drug while Don attended college. Their next home was in Mott, where she worked as a receptionist for Dr. Gjerstad, the local dentist and they welcomed their second son Michael. After a year of Don’s schooling at UND in Grand Forks, they settled in Minot. Ginny worked as a claims clerk at Kmart from 1973 until retiring in 2004. She enjoyed her time there earning several work awards and proudly had a perfect work attendance record.
After retirement in 2004, most winters were spent in Sun City, AZ until Alzheimer’s made traveling difficult. She enjoyed camping, ceramics, sewing, country music and most of all caring for her boys. She will be remembered as a very loving and caring wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend who believed in hard work, being on time and getting things done right.
Virginia’s loving family includes her husband of 64 years Don; sons: Michael (Karen) Nelson of Stanwood, Iowa and Jeffery (Ella) Nelson of Berthoud CO; step grandchildren: Tegan (Patrick), Paxton and Brianne; great-grandson Tali; sister: Betty Marler of Rogers ND; sister-in-law: Vivian Merkle of Glendale AZ and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law Allen Marler and Edward Merkle.
Celebration of the Life of Virginia Nelson: Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church – Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Virginia Nelson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
