Kathy Nelson ('65) Cihlar's mother dies

Laverna Nelson, 93
Alexandria Echo Press
Published Friday, August 15, 2008
Laverna Naomi Nelson, 93, died August 11, 2008 at Bethany Home in Alexandria.
Laverna was born March 30, 1915, to Elsie (Key) and Earl Crist of Clarissa. She grew up on a farm with one sister and four brothers. She was born in the house her father built and was delivered by a midwife.
She graduated from Clarissa High School in 1933.
On September 20, 1939, Laverna and Elmer Nelson from Browerville were united in marriage in Clarissa. They farmed in partnership with Elmer’s father in Browerville. Four children were born to them. In 1950, they moved to Nelson where they farmed until they retired. In
1977, they moved to Carlos and in 1994, they moved to Bethel Manor in Alexandria. Elmer passed away in 1995. In 2007, Laverna moved to BethanyHome.

Laverna was a very active person with many interests. She was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Nelson and was involved in many church activities. She was an active volunteer at Bethany Home for many years and a very special caregiver to many people.

Her outside interests were centered on her flowers and vegetable garden. Her flowers were used in many neighborhood celebrations. She spent many hours sewing, which included many quilts, play clothes, doll clothes, wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, embroidery and cutwork. She also baked wedding cakes, prize-winning rye bread and caramel rolls. Laverna was fond of animals, especially white kitties, which were always named Felix. Laverna’s greatest enjoyment by far was having her family around her, including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Laverna was preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers and a daughter-in-law.

Laverna is survived by her sister, Veneitta Peo of Michigan; children, Roger of Nelson, Larry (Janice) of Luverne, Kathy (Larry) Cihlar of Carlos and Linda (Keith) Miller of Moorhead; eight grandchildren, Jeff (Steph) Nelson, Becky (Chad) Olson, Michael (Janet) Cihlar, Jill (Cory)
Cihlar, Wayne (Staci) Nelson, Randy (Anne) Nelson, Chris Miller, Ann Miller; and 11 great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jack, Anna, Eli, Taylor, Grace, Ian, Celia, Seren, Teigen and Ethan.

A funeral service was held August 14 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Nelson with the Rev. Joan Wittrock officiating. Bev Steuck was organist and Jane Herth was soloist.

(Thanks to Paul Strandberg for emailing this.)