Jerise ‘Jeri’ Nelson

Jerise ‘Jeri’ Nelson went after a faithful and productive life to meet her Savior from the St. Cloud Hospital on Monday, March 19, 2018 at the age of 84 years.
On December 27, 1933 a beautiful baby girl was born to Delmar and Florence Eaton in Long Prairie, MN. She was a graduate of Long Prairie High School in 1951 and on May 10, 1952 married her life mate, Donnie Nelson at American Lutheran Church in Long Prairie, MN. They lived in Clotho and Jeri was hired to do secretarial work for the Todd County Extension Service. She later did receptionist duties for Dr. George Spofford, an optometrist in Long Prairie and then took a job doing clerical work for Todd County Social Services. Jeri’s people skills and good work ethic soon landed her a position as an Administrative Secretary at the Long Prairie Hospital in 1975. She worked there for over twenty years before retiring in 1995. Jeri was an anchor and active member of the United Methodist Church in Clotho and was involved in many church activities, especially their annual summer Ice Cream Social and the monthly Coffee in Clotho gatherings. She knew everyone in the area and welcomed all with open arms. Jeri was also active in the Clotho United Methodist Women group, serving the local group and in a district office over the years. Jeri has been the lay leader at church. Jeri enjoyed a good game of scrabble and aggravation with friends and family. She kept her mind sharp by doing daily crossword puzzles. She enjoyed people of all ages and had a wide circle of friends. Jeri’s family was her pride and joy and she was so proud of all of their accomplishments. She was a talented and loving mother, grandma, Godmother, and sister who will be dearly missed by all those whose lives she touched.
She will live on in the hearts of her children, Kali (Chris) Christensen of Eagle Bend and Mark (Connie) Nelson of Grey Eagle; grandchildren, Brooke (Justin), Shane, Jacob, Jess, Peggy, Nicholas, Chet (Amy), Debbie (Shawn), Sarah (Ryan), David (Mary), Michael (Michele), Jeff; 22 great grandchildren; sisters, LaLonnie (Roger) Hetland and Syneva ‘Snookie’ (Bill) Noble, all of Long Prairie; sister-in-law, Patricia Nelson of Cottage Grove; 7 nieces and nephews.
Jeri was preceded in death by her parents, Delmar & Grace Eaton, Florence & Guy Beach, husband, Don Nelson, brothers, Dallas & Wayne Eaton, Gary Beach, grandson, Randi, and nephew, Brian Nelson.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Long Prairie with Rev. Gary Taylor officiating. Musicians were Tricia Skahan and Diane Gustafson. Interment was at the Pleasant Mound Cemetery. Casketbearers were Ross and Todd Hetland, Mike Nelson, Marty Mueller, Todd Hubbard, Greg Berry.