Alma Nelson, 94, died on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Meritcare Hospital, Northwest Campus, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor George Davis officiating. Burial will be in Telemarken Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. on Friday, May 15, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Friday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Alma Hilaria Nelson was born on November 25, 1914 in Oklee, MN, the daughter of Ole and Thonie (Johnson) Hanson. She was raised near Oklee, attended rural school and lived with her family helping with the housework.

Alma was united in marriage to Arthur Nelson on November 25, 1939 in Thief River Falls. The couple lived in Thief River Falls before moving to Greenbush, where they owned and operated a caf. Alma and Arthur lived in San Francisco, CA from 1943 to 1950 before moving to Oregon in 1951. The couple then moved back to Thief River Falls, where they since resided. Arthur passed away in July of 1996.

She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, baking, gardening and sewing. The joy of her life was spending time with her family. Alma was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and a life member of the Sons of Norway. Alma and Arthur loved to travel and had been to 48 states and in 1984, they took the trip of their lifetime to Norway to visit relatives.

Alma is survived by five children: Orvis (Kathy) Nelson of Torrance, CA, Patricia (Wilford) Boutain of Princeton, MN, Raymond Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN, David (Cindy) Nelson of Fergus Falls, MN and Shari (Dave) Fisher of Chisholm, MN; 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and 9 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur; infant son, Richard; and 2 sisters, Grace Ebbighausen and Myrtle Overbye.

ORGANIST/SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: One Day at a Time and On Eagles Wings
PIANO SOLO: Allen Nelson, Blessed Jesus
VIOLIN: Allen Nelson, This is my Fathers World
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS: Randy Steffesen, Jake Paulson, Greg Boutain, Ray Nelson, Mike Nelson and Brett Duke