Marjorie "Marge" Louise Nelson

Marjorie "Marge" L. Nelson, age 88, of Atwater, passed away Sunday, September 13, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater. Interment will be at Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, September 21, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Atwater Help for Seniors are preferred.  Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Marjorie “Marge” L. Nelson was born on July 11, 1938, in a small home in Atwater, Minnesota, the daughter of Osborne A. Nelson and Beatrice A. (Shogren) Nelson. She grew up in the rural Atwater community, was baptized and confirmed at Rosendale Lutheran Church, attended District 50 School, and graduated from Atwater High School in 1956.

On November 1, 1958, she was united in marriage to Robert L. Nelson in Atwater. For many years, they lived and farmed near Atwater. Marge enjoyed many employment adventures throughout her life, from working at the sale barn to being a farmer’s wife, where she milked cows, farrowed sows, and sold feeder pigs. She also worked at Swenson Oil in rural Atwater. In 1989, Marge and Robert retired from farming and moved into town. After 42 years of marriage, Robert passed away after battling prostate cancer on December 19, 2000.

In 1985, Marge began working as a custodian for the Atwater School District. During her time there, she obtained her boiler’s license and eventually became head custodian. Marge took great pride in her work and made a lasting, positive impression on the custodians she worked with and mentored. Even years later, former custodians continue to remember Marge fondly and express their gratitude for the guidance and encouragement she gave them. She continued working until her retirement in 2002.

Marge was known for her warm and welcoming nature, making family, friends, and even strangers feel loved and welcomed. Many in the community knew her as “Grandma Marge,” a nickname she earned through her daughter’s Little Goobers Daycare in Atwater. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren watching them grow, cheering them on at sporting events, and making the most of time together. She had a special appreciation for watching dragonflies. Marge also had a habit of writing simple notes in her cursive handwriting and tucking them away in the drawers of her desk. Her quick wit and perfectly timed wisecracks often brought laughter to those around her. She enjoyed trips to the casino, traveling to visit family near and far, watching football and baseball and attending musical plays with friends and family. These simple joys, along with the people she loved, made life so meaningful to Marge.

Marge is survived by her one son, Dean (and Beth) Nelson of Atwater, three daughters, Paula Nelson (and Terry Meyer) of Kandiyohi, Jane Hovey (and Cary Schultz) of Atwater, Julie Evenson (and Mike Bolton) of Atwater, 10 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren and one great grandchild on the way. Also surviving are four sisters, Roberta Swenson, Darlene Mickelson, Carol (and John) Olstad, and Janet Beety, two brothers Roger (and Elvina) Nelson and Richard (and Betty) Nelson, one sister-in-law, Diane Nelson, besides several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother (Robert), one sister (Bonnie), a granddaughter (Kristina Lynn Evenson), a grandson (Zachary John Pistulka), and two brothers-in-law (Jim Swenson and Bob Mickelson).