Grace Nelson

Grace Violet (Stowe) Nelson was born August 29, 1918, in Wadena, MN, and died December 30, 2016, in Minneapolis, MN. She married Len Edward Nelson in Park Rapids, MN, in 1939. She attended high school in Wadena, MN. She moved from Wadena to Wahpeton, ND, where she met and later married her husband, Len. Grace and Len had a home on Silver Lake where they lived for many years. She was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, sewing clubs, and various other organizations throughout her lifetime. As an avid sewer, she played a key role in the 100-year centennial in Breckenridge, MN, sewing numerous intricate and beautiful dresses. Many of her grandchildren could be seen donning the gorgeous clothing sewn for them by Grace. She had many jobs throughout her life, including a nursery school teacher and later in life, a senior companion, where she brought joy to many people. Grace loved getting out of town. She forced Len to travel all over the United States and Mexico on many grand adventures. In the 1980s, she was able to find several of her ancestors during a trip to Norway where she brought a bunch of laughs to her daughter and granddaughter who were traveling with her. One of her most memorable escapades occurred on another trip, off the tip of Baja, where she was able to highlight her talents as a fisherwoman. With a guide, she sailed out in a small boat, finding herself being pulled down to the troughs and up to the crests of huge waves. In spite of the turbulent waters, she caught a remarkable fish that took her hours to land; all by herself, she reeled in a 52 lb orange roughy and distributed much of it to the Baja natives. She was a strong and generous woman.Grace loved to gamble. She spent many winters in her favorite place on earth, Las Vegas, NV, often sitting at slot machines where she won and lost thousands and thousands of dollars. Whether she was fishing, gambling or partying, she could always be found in the center of the action. A party was never a party until she arrived. She brought them to life. By letting her life speak for itself, Grace taught those who knew her the most valuable life lesson to be learned: Life is too short to take it, or yourself, too seriously. Live it. Have a good time. Drink some whiskey with your family and share great stories. Play some poker with your friends. Laugh. Get into the present moment on the water, in a boat, with a fishing rod and some minnows. And on those warm, summer days that offer clear blue skies, find a chair, relax and soak in every single one of the sun's rays you possibly can. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Matilda Stowe, her sister, Mildred, all of Wadena, MN, and her brother, Earl, of Chicago, IL; her husband, Len, and her grandson, Michael "Mike" Nelson. Grace is loved and survived by her son, Robert "Bob" Nelson; daughter-in-law, Nana Nelson; daughter Diane "Dini" (Nelson) Vertin; son-in-law, Tom Vertin; and her grandchildren, Tana Nelson, Vanessa, Megan and Tess Vertin; grandson-in-law, Darryl White; granddaughter-in-law, Juanita Nelson; 7 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home 304 3rd Street S.E. Pelican Rapids, MN US 56572 Grace Nelson folder