Cover photo for Barbara  Marie Nelson's Obituary
Barbara  Marie Nelson Profile Photo
1942 Barbara 2018

Barbara Marie Nelson

April 21, 1942 — December 1, 2018

Barbara M. Nelson, age 76, of Wanamingo, passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2018 surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Rochester, St. Mary's Campus. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 11:00 am at New Life Church in Wanamgino - 525 Beverly E. Street with Pastor Patrick McBride officiating. The visitation will be for one hour prior to the start of the service on Tuesday. Arrangements were made with Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel.

Barbara Marie Swanson was born on April 21, 1942 to Merlyn and Ione (Freeberg) Swanson in Cannon Falls. She was raised in the area and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1960. After graduation she briefly worked for Mayo Clinic. On November 4, 1961 she married John Nelson at Spring Garden Church in Cannon Falls. Together they built a home in Wanamingo in 1964. Barb stayed home and cared for their two children until 1979, when John started Nelson Electronics, Barb was the office manager and bookkeeper until she retired in 1998. Due to health issues, they moved to the Kenyon Sunset Home in May 2018. She enjoyed the staff and people during her time there. Barb was active in her Christian faith, first at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and later at New Life Church being a charter member.

Barb enjoyed reading, studying the Bible, crosswords and Sudoku puzzles, she was a creative person, especially needlework and sewing. Before she became housebound she enjoyed having coffee downtown with friends, and especially having dinner every Friday evening at Area 57 Café, and spending time with her family.

Barb had a wry sense of humor that was intact even through her final illness.

Barb is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, John; children, Sara (David) Carlson, and Eric (Lisa) Nelson both of Wanamingo; eight grandsons, Joseph (Libby), Andrew (Rachel), Phillip (Lindsey) Carlson, Jacob (Emily), Sam, Isaac, Luke (Amy), and John Nelson; four great-grandchildren, Bear, Irie, Grimm, and Finnley Carlson; three brothers, Doug (Sue), Steve (Linda), and Todd (Kathy) Swanson; and sister, Virginia (John) DeGaetano; and many nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death by her brother, Scott Swanson; and her parents.

Visitation

DEC 4. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)

New Life Church
525 Beverly East Street
Wanamingo, MN, 55983

Memorial Service

DEC 4. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CST)

New Life Church
525 Beverly East Street
Wanamingo, MN, 55983
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Marie Nelson, please visit our flower store.

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