Marit L. Nelson

Marit L. Nelson, 84, of Willmar, died Tuesday, May 12 at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. Her memorial service will be 1:00 pm, Monday, May 18 with visitation one hour prior at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Burial will be at Salem Covenant Cemetery in rural Pennock. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar.

Marit Nelson was born on December 2, 1941, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Chester and Esther (Abrahamson) Johnson. She graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1959 and went on to attend the Willmar School of Practical Nursing, earning her degree in 1961. Shortly after graduation, she began her lifelong career at Rice Memorial Hospital as a LPN. Throughout the years, Marit worked in several departments, spending much of her career in the surgical unit before retiring in 2005.

On April 13, 1962, Marit was united in marriage to Dennis Asche. Together they were blessed with three daughters: Renee, Carmen, and Beth. They made their home on a farm near Priam before later divorcing.

Marit later moved to Willmar with her daughters, where she met Don Nelson. They were married on September 18, 1981, and made their home together in Willmar.

Marit was a member at Salem Covenant Church in rural Pennock and First Covenant Church in Willmar for her entire life. Marit found joy in planting gardens, riding horses, baking, and preparing home-cooked meals for those she loved. She and Don spent countless hours turning the fruits they gathered into homemade jams, jellies, and pies, keeping the deep freeze well stocked. She also enjoyed golfing in a women’s league and looked forward to the annual Mother’s Day weekend garage sale she hosted with her daughters. Above all, Marit treasured time with her daughters and grandchildren, who meant the world to her.

Marit is survived by her daughters: Renee Asche of New Ulm, Carmen ( Dan) Lochner of Avon, and Beth (Mike) Orlowski of Willmar; grandchildren: Jarod Siegfried, Jordan Rue, Chris (Megan), Zach, and Mathias (Michelle) Butala, Lexi, and Amanda Orlowski, Katie (Mark) Harris, and Doug (Megan) Orlowski; great-grandchildren: Jaxon, Santino, Lokene, and Cecillia Siegfried, Madeline Davis, Hank, Axel, Gabby, and Ellie Butala; sisters-in-law: Cindy and Lisa Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents, Chester and Esther; siblings, Roger and Elvern Johnson; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Rundquist.

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