Karen Nelson

Karen Elaine. Nelson, age 74, of Clinton, MN. died June 1, 2014, at Ortonville Area Hospital in Ortonville.

Memorial service will be 10:30 Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville, MN, with a prayer service at 8 p.m.. Burial will be at Mound Cemetery.

Karen Elaine Nelson was born on October 12, 1939, to Cecil W. and Agnes C. (Christeson) Morrill in Malta Township, Minnesota on the Bissett Farm. She was baptized on November 8, 1940, and confirmed on July 19, 1953, both at Elim Lutheran Church in Clinton, Minnesota. She attended school in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School in 1957.

Karen was united in marriage with Harlen G. Nelson on November 9, 1957, in Clinton. To this union six children were born. Karen held a variety of jobs during her lifetime. She worked at Northwestern Bell in Minneapolis. She was a nurses' aide and an in-home health care provider. She worked at the Soil and Water Conservation Office in Ortonville and as a census worker. Karen also was employed by Primerica. A member of Living Word Church in Milbank, she was active in Bible study. Karen volunteered at the Granary Food Co-op and attended functions at the Senior Center.

Karen was on the go all the time! She loved to travel with family and friends and visited Hawaii, the Black Hills, St. Louis, Disneyland, Atlanta, and Seattle. She loved to talk and Harlen said she could have a conversation with a 'wrong number' for a good half hour! Karen had many hobbies which included collecting elephants and teapots, cooking and baking, canning, playing cards, and antiques. Above all, she was devoted to her family, loving and adoring all her "babies", which included her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her tender care will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish her memory her husband, Harlen of Clinton, MN; sons, Brent (Lori) Nelson of Ortonville, MN, Brad (Sara) Nelson of Milbank, MN, Bryan (Tammy) of Brookings, SD; daughters, Terie (Jim) McLaughlin of Brandon, SD, Sue (Fiance Terry Trelstad) Hummel of Rochester, MN, Patty (Joe) Ebnet of Cottonwood, MN; 29 grandchildren, Megan, Micah, Jared, Reilly, Denise, Mindy, Dante, Seth, Candice, Amanda, Angela, Matthew, Ashley, Julia, Joe, Nicole, Isaac, Raquel, Benjamin, Amy, Victoria, James, Shelby, Joshua, Brandon, Justin, Allyson, Mallory, Kassidy; 25 great-grandchildern; brothers, Donald (Marianne) Morrill of Ortonville, MN, Roger (Marlene) Morrill of Woodinville, WA; sisters-in-law, Joan Morrill of Clinton, MN, Betty Morrill of Clinton, MN; brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Joanne Nelson of Ortonville, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sylvia; brothers: Frank, Leonard and Richard; parents-in-law Hans and Esther Nelson; sisters-in-law Janet Swenson and Virginia Elvecrog; and brothers –in-law Richard Nelson and Maynard Nelson.