Velva F. Nelson

Velva F. Nelson, our beloved mother, joined her husband and daughter in Heaven Saturday, March 5, surrounded by her family. The youngest of 4 children, Velva Fern was born July 27, 1917 to Elmer and Ellen Nevins at Porter, MN. She wanted to reach age 100 but Alzheimer's disease intervened. Her siblings Floyd, Ethel, and Doris predeceased her. An infant sister, Vera, was stillborn.

On June 29, 1937 she married Lyndon B. Nelson to whom children Gerald and Nancy were born. They lived in Albert Lea, MN before dairy farming near Stevens Point, WI for five years. They returned to Porter where Lyndon later partnered in Porter Lumber Company while Velva raised the children. She enjoyed writing a weekly column for the Canby, Minneota and Marshall, MN newspapers. They sold the lumberyard and moved to Fergus Falls, MN where together they built a handsome lakefront home on Wall Lake.

Following Lyndon's 1980 death, she lived in Idaho and Indiana by her daughter and son-in-law, and their family. In Boise, ID, she was particularly independent, proudly owning her mobile home and 1982 Honda Civic, while getting her exercise with the "Happy Hoofers" retirees. While living at South Bend, IN she enjoyed walking the Notre Dame campus with her friend, Brother Ed. Nancy died in 2000 and in 2004 she moved to Dayton with her son and daughter-in-law. She was in assisted living at Cottages of Clayton at the time of death.

She will be missed by son, Gerald (Marlys) Nelson, son-in-law, Larry (Judy) Livingston, grandchildren: Cindy (Mike) Jurries, Monique (Mike) Presutti, Robb Livingston, David (Brenda) Nelson, Cheri (Jason) Ray, Cassi (Matt) Fessenden and 13 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held March 19, 11:00 am, at Fairview United Methodist Church, 828 W. Fairview Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45406. Reverend Barbara Wiechel officiating.

Arrangements by Newcomer Funeral Home, 4104 Needmore Road. A special thank you to Jennifer Phillips of Acclaim Hospice Care.