Leona Blanche Nelson

Leona Blanche (Glanner) Nelson, 90 died on August 24, 2015 at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, ND. Leona Blanche Glanner was born at home on the farm in Walsh County on April 28, 1925, to John and Blanche (Klave) Glanner. Leona grew up and attended rural school in Walsh County. She was united in marriage to Wm. John Nelson on June 12, 1945 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto, ND. Leona began her working life for the late Ted Hoffman in Grafton as a family caregiver. She continued working for Hoffman in the locker plant & meat market at Grafton's Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store. In later years, Leona worked for Bordens Potatoes and Associated Potato Company in Grafton. She was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church and very active in St. Johns Alter Society and Cub Scouts. Leona and John were always willing to help family members when support was needed. Their home was always open for family needing a place to stay. If you came to Grafton, you would always end up at their home on Hill Avenue. She was great at sending out letters & cards as well as attending her son's special events while they were growing up. Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren were very special to Leona. She always bragged about their accomplishments. She could never say "no" to help others, and people would say she had a "Heart of Gold". Leona missed her loving husband, John of 68 years of marriage and was ready to be with him in heaven. Leona will be thoroughly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her sons Larry (Kathy), Drayton, ND; Lynn (Debbie), Minot, ND and Gregory (Susan), Bloomington, MN and her treasured grand children, Lori, Melanie, Matthew, Jason, Angela and Katelyn, and great grandchildren Shannon, Natalie, Riley, Dylan and Kinsey. Also, Leona is survived by her brothers, John Jr. Glanner; Grafton, Adrian Glanner & Dennis Glanner both from Green Bay, Wisconsin and sisters, Mary Ronkowski; Grand Forks and Helen Troyer; Elk River, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Blanche (Klave) Glanner, sisters: Margaret, Rosalie and brothers: Eugene, Clarence and Ernest. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 28, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND.