Elaine Alvera Nelson

Elaine Alvera Nelson passed away on Friday, April 11, 2008 at Lake Winona Manor Winona MN. She had been a resident of Lewiston Villa for 8 years. She was born September 27th, 1920 in Halstad, MN to Elmer and Martha (Thorsen) Foss. She graduated from Halstad High School in 1938 as salutatorian of her class. She attended and graduated from Moorhead State University where she met her future husband. She married Donald B Nelson in Manatee Michigan on September 26th, 1942. They both taught in Durand and Manton Michigan for several years and worked the summers on the Midland Car Ferry on Lake Michigan.In 1946 they moved to Parkers Prairie, MN where Donald was the high school principal and Elaine was a teacher. They then moved to Morristown MN where she taught second grade. In 1956 they moved to Lewiston where she taught fourth grade and Title One math for many years until retiring in 1983. In the early 1970's she returned to school and received her master's degree in education from Winona State University. Elaine loved all her students but especially the fourth grade students she had while serving in Lewiston. She had a very good memory and always remembered all her students by name and many times their brothers and sisters as well. She was very involved at the Lewiston Villa where she lived the last eight years and was Resident Council President and a former Valentines Queen and was also responsible for sending birthday greetings to all residents. She was always very interested in what was going on and read several papers everyday to keep up on current events. She was always checking on what was going on in the halls of the Villa and was sort of the unofficial greeter talking to all visitors who may have entered. She was also a very proud member of the Lewiston Post 90 Legion Auxiliary.Elaine is survived by her daughter Dawn (Kent) Erdmann (rest in peace Mom), grandsons Daniel (Audrey) of Mindoro, WI and Paul Erdmann of Rochester, great grandchildren Lainey, Josh, & Daniel Erdmann. One sister Peggy (Gerald) Michelson of Edina, sister-in-laws Millie Foss of East Bethel, MN and Lois Foss of Fargo, ND along with many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by parents Elmer and Martha Foss, brothers E. Marlowe and Roger Foss, husband Donald B Nelson in 2000 and son Larry A Nelson in 1991.Funeral Services will be 11AM Monday at St. Paul's U C C / E L C A Church in Lewiston with the Reverend Peter Huggenvik officiating. Visitation is at the Hoff Funeral Chapel in Lewiston on Sunday April 13th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm and a half hour before the funeral on Monday. Burial will be at Bethlehem Cemetery in Fergus Falls MN at a later date. Memorials will be directed to St. Paul's Youth and the Lewiston Villa. Please share a memory of Elaine at her on-line Guestbook or view her Tribute Video at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/15469