Doris B. Nelson

Doris B. Nelson, 93 of the Good Samaritan Home in Osnabrock, ND, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the home. In her own words: "I am ready to goSo let's get going" and that is how she began her final journey home to her Lord and Saviour. The truth is she left the world a better place for those she left behind; she lived a full life and honorable life and touched many hearts and minds while making her earthly journey. She was very proud of the fact that she attended Osnabrock Township School and graduated from high school in Nekoma. After graduation she held a sundry of jobs throughout the area until that day when Arnold Nelson caught her eye and love blossomed. Doris B. Anderson was born March 8, 1916, to Clarence and Mae (Balfour) Anderson at Columbus, ND. Her mother died when she was ten years old and by the grace of God and the kindness of her Aunt Wilmina "Aunty" (Balfour) and Uncle Edward "Pearly" Anderson, all the siblings were taken in and raised by these two wonderful people. Doris was united in marriage to Arnold Nelson on October 30, 1938 at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Fairdale and for 65 years together, they lived, farmed and worked in the Fairdale, Milton and Osnabrock area for all these many years and enjoyed their life on the farm immensely. She was a life -long member of Highland Church and Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, and a member of WELCA, in Fairdale. Their joys were their children: Richard Nelson, Milton, ND; Kenneth (Diane) Nelson and their daughter Danna, Langdon, ND; Audrey (Jay) Holter, daughter Amber, Glyndon, MN and their two other children, James and Amy of Grand Forks, ND. She is also survived by her beloved brother Kenneth Anderson, Cavalier, ND; her very dear in-laws: Les and Doris Rourke, Osnabrock, ND; and Sadie Grindeland, Osnabrock, ND and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews whom she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arnold, sisters: Erma, Wanda, Hazel, Delores and Jessie. Throughout her life, Doris strived to make those around her comfortable and that usually meant a few good cups of coffee and a lunch that always turned out to be a feast. It never mattered the time, nor the number of people as Doris was a very social and gracious hostess and loved to have company. Her time and her life were always a blur of activity with "something always going on" and she was so inquisitive and interested in people and current events; the world in general. She never lacked for anthing to do as she did it all, from milking those cows, to selling the cream, to tending to the chickens and selling eggs, canning tomatoes or making those delicious, crunchy dill pickles, that very thin lefse everyone loved, the mashed potatoes the grandchildren loved and only Grandma could make, the golden brown buns, scrumptious potato saladyou see the list could go on but that would upset her so we shall stop. The past few years of her life were spent in a very loving, caring and special place, surrounded by a staff that exemplifies "Christian Love" and by taking such wonderful care of our Mother she was able to be with us so much longer than ever expected. Doris enjoyed living at the Good Sam and we can't thank them enough for all they did for her. We know Mother would echo these sentiments and would tell all, we are sure, that she did go in peace. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church of Fairdale. Visitation will be Friday from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Edinburg. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Highland Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fairdale.