Marcelle Kathleen Nelson

Marcelle Kathleen Nelson, age 95, a resident of Pelican Rapids, MN, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday morning, December 4, 2014, at the Pelican Valley Nursing Home. She was born in Pelican Rapids, MN, to Bennie and Clara (Osten) Sillerud on February 16, 1919. She grew up on the Sillerud farm in Norwegian Grove Township and attended rural school near her home. On October 22, 1938, Marcelle married Clifford Nelson who happened to be her parents' hired man and neighbor. Together they farmed in Norwegian Grove until retiring in 1975. After cows and kids, they enjoyed traveling and visiting with neighbors and friends. After Clifford passed away in 1986, Marcelle continued to live on the farm enjoying the homestead as well as keeping the skunk population down. She gradually transitioned into the Mill Pond High Rise in Pelican. She has been a resident of the Pelican Valley Nursing Home since 2011.Marcelle loved singing, quilting, growing flowers, playing cards, and baking (especially with rhubarb). She was a charter member of the Pelican Rapids chapter of the Sweet Adelines and sang and performed in a quartet called the Pelican Pipers for many years with Dalyce Axness, Carol Moses, and Phyllis Haugrud. She often was found at the sewing machine and at the winter quilt-tying gatherings at church putting finishing touches on her nearly 700 mission quilts. Her pride and joy were her petunias and multiple varieties of African violets. Her willingness to "take risks" when playing whist was the backdrop of many family and neighborhood get-togethers even into her 90s. Among the family (and beyond), she was well known for the lefse and flatbread she made (a tradition which has been passed down to several family members).Her love for the Lord was evident in how she served others and the church. She was a lifelong member of North Immanuel Lutheran Church and was active in many capacities. She was Sunday School Superintendent as well as Ladies' Aid President multiple years. She also served several terms as a congregational representative for Lutheran Social Services.She is survived by five of her six children and their families: Crystalyn (Tom) Rooney of Los Angeles, CA; Arlene (Alan) Neff of Lakewood, CO; David (Jan) Nelson of Plymouth, MN; Linda Nelson of Long Beach, CA; and Violet (Clark) Hohman of Port St. Lucie, FL. Her six grandchildren: Shannon (Bob) Stock of Los Osos, CA, and Trevor Orrick of San Luis Obispo, CA; Bryan McCartney of Boynton Beach, FL, and Mark McCartney of Lakewood, CO; Mandolyn (Scott) Nelson/Morin of Plymouth, MN, and Tymon (Sarah) Nelson of Littleton, CO. She also leaves three great-grandchildren: Logan and Sara Stock as well as Gabriel Nelson. Also surviving is sister Helen Ann (Harlan) Haugrud of Rothsay, son-in-law Rick Orrick, sisters-in-law Joyce Sillerud and Mildred (Cal) Boen, and brother-in-law George Dobrovolny.Marcelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clifford, daughter Barbara Orrick, sisters Eleanor (Rueben) Redal and Vivian Dobrovolny, and brothers Byron (Meranda/Willie Peterson), Jerome, Curtis (Rhoda), and Donald Sillerud. Visitation: Monday, January 12, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at North Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, MN. Service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 12, 2015 at North Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Pelican Rapids, MN.Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572