Bernice Nelson

Bernice Nelson, age 98, of Brainerd, formerly of Echo passed away March 1, 2012, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Brainerd. Services will be held Friday, March 9, 2012 at11:00 a.m. from Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, with burial in the church’s east cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday March 8, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home in Echo. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Friday, March 9, 2012 at the church. Sunset Funeral and Cremation Association of Echo and Wabasso are in charge of the arrangements. Bernice Amanda Nelson was born June 26, 1913, in Hazelton, ND, to Bernie and Carrie Hanson, and passed away March 1, 2012 at Bethany Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Brainerd at age 98. Bernice was baptized and confirmed in Lutheran churches in Hazelton and Nome, ND, and her Christian faith sustained her throughout her life. She graduated from Nome High School in 1930 and from Valley City Teachers’ College in 1932, having majored in public school music education. Bernice taught public school music in Rosholt, SD from 1932-1937. Bernice was united in marriage to Leonard M. Nelson on August 15, 1937, at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls. Four children were born to the marriage: Carol, Rolf, Sylvia, and Mark. Bernice’s life was devoted to her family and her music. She taught piano lessons for over fifty years and was church organist and choral director at American Lutheran Church in Echo. Bernice was a charter member of the Echo Auxiliary and was involved in community activities. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Bernie and Carrie Hanson, her husband Leonard, her daughter Carol, and her brothers Alton and Howard. Bernice is survived by her sister, Pearl Lien of Edina; her three children, Rolf (Karen) Nelson of Park Rapids, Sylvia (Jamie) Omtvedt of Brainerd, and Mark (Patricia Melich) Nelson of Afton; her five grandchildren, Erik, Mark, and Kirsten Omtvedt of Brainerd, Sara Miles of Sartell, and Bernie (Tanja) Nelson of HamLake; and by two great-grandchildren, Jaden Wagoner and Colin Omtvedt of Brainerd. Blessed be her memory.