- Vivian Nelson was born in Slope County, North Dakota, November 24, 1918, to Denver and Mamie Belle (Gibbs) Williams. Her family included two brothers, Frank and Arthur and one sister, Mildred (Mrs. Sheldon Nelson).
Vivian moved with her family to Belview, Minnesota, in 1933, where she graduated from High School. She then moved to Chicago where she worked as a nanny for one and one-half years.
In 1939 she married Gerhard Nelson. They farmed at Belview for several years, then moved 1 1/2 miles southwest of Clarkfield, in 1943, where they farmed for 35 years. After their retirement in 1978, they purchased a home in Montevideo, Minnesota, where she lived until she moved in March, 2007, to assisted living at Copper Glen in Montevideo.
She is survived by her five children: Rhoda, Marlene, Philip, Shirley and Loralee; Nine grandchildren: Sarah, Britte-Catherine, Marquand, Cheryl, Julie, Deanna, Peder, Emmett and Matthew; Twelve Great Grandchildren: Maija, Owen, Simon, Davin, Isaac, Grace, Will, Kate, Anna, Ella, Cole and Ava.
Preceding her in death were her husband; infant twins Gaylene and Gerhard Jr.; her parents; three siblings.
Vivian had a deep, lifelong love of the Lord and was a woman of Prayer and the Word. She and Gerhard were charter members of the Clarkfield Christian and Missionary Alliance church (now New Life Church) and were members of the Gideon Society. She remained active in both until the time of her death. She had a passion for Christian missions around the world and entertained many missionaries in her home. She dearly enjoyed entertaining her family and friends and could never have too much company. She also enjoyed her homemakers club, birthday club and weekly women's Bible Study.
Following a brief stay at Luther Haven Nursing Home, Vivian passed away peacefully, Friday morning, July 18, 2008, at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital, Montevideo, Minnesota.
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1918 - 2008 (89 years)
