Grace Marie Nelson

On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, Grace Marie Nelson, died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Welch at the age of 92. Grace was born on June 21, 1928 in Red Wing, MN to C. Herbert and Florence Eckblad. She was a farm girl who grew up in Vasa, MN. She was an active member of 4H and later became a club leader. She was an award-winning seamstress and sewed clothing for herself and her family. Later in life, she enjoyed quilting. Grace graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1946 as Salutatorian, then attended the University of Minnesota where she graduated with a degree in Education. She taught home economics and physical education at several rural schools in southeast Minnesota.

On December 23, 1950, Grace married her sweetheart, Clemens Nelson, in a beautiful Christmastime wedding at Vasa Lutheran Church. Grace was part owner and operator of Welch Village Ski Area and ran the food service in both chalets from 1965-1993. She was a Minnesota Lottery Board member and served as chairwoman. She was also on the Boards of the Goodhue County Historical Society and St. John’s Hospital in Red Wing. Grace was a strong-willed, independent woman that took pride in everything that she did in life.  She was an incredibly talented pianist and will be remembered by many for adding her own twists to church hymns. She led the choir at Cross of Christ Lutheran church for 60 years, and played the organ for countless weddings and funerals. Grace loved to travel, and some of her adventures included trips to Sweden, Japan and Iceland. Grace and Clem were members of the Cruiser Club end enjoyed many summers on their houseboat. She was a fashionista who loved bright, fancy, sometimes outrageous clothes, and we loved every bit of it right down to her rhinestoned fingertips. Grace was proud of all her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, and would boast about each and every one of them.

Grace will be missed dearly by her four children, Robin (Michael Williams) Nelson-Williams, Rick Nelson, Ross (Jane) Nelson, Daniel (Lois Hart) Nelson; grandchildren, Adam (Jackie) Nelson, Kellie (Levi) Dahling, Michele (Heidi) Nelson, Danielle (Nick) Moyer, Amanda (Matt) Durham, and Blake, Grace and Charlotte Nelson; great-grandchildren, Noelle, Hope, Ebba, Patrick, Laney, Lydia, Alice and Louis; siblings, Linda (Darwin) Knochemus, David (Bev) Eckblad and Steve Eckblad. She is welcomed in heaven by her husband Clemens, parents, siblings James and Phillip, and an infant daughter.

Burial will be in the spring at Cross of Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. Arrangements with the Mahn Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com