Marjorie Nelson, 86 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Hillcrest Senior Living in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with Pastor Pete Lee from Epiphany Station officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service.  Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Marjorie Kathryn Sanderson was born November 24, 1936, to George Edmund and Cecelia Marsella (Urbanek) Sanderson in Lacrosse, WI.  She grew up in Lacrosse, WI, where she graduated from Logan High School in 1954.

She met her future husband on the Iron Range of Minnesota.  She was united in marriage to Howard Nelson June 14, 1958, in Lansing, IA.  They made their home in Virginia, MN, for about the first year of their marriage.  They have also lived in Biwabik and Aurora, MN.

On July 14, 1961, Margie made the most important decision of her life – She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade in Minneapolis.  Jesus was her best friend for 56 years, walking with her every day.

They moved to Thief River Falls in 1966.  Margie worked as a nurse's aide at the hospital in Thief River Falls for 15 years.

Margie and Howard have wintered in Mesa, AZ and Apache Junction for the past 23 years.  She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and beading.  Margie was an exercise nut and liked to walk many miles.  She loved to spend time with her grandchildren.  She also enjoyed being content at her home.   She and Howard enjoyed dancing, including square dancing.

She is survived by her 5 children:  Robert (Maria) Nelson, Glendale, AZ, Thomas (Jenny) Nelson, Colorado Springs, CO; Sheri Nelson, Devils Lake, ND; Scott (Pam) Nelson, Woodbury, MN, Kurt (fiancé, Christina) Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, 9 grandchildren:  Gabrielle, Andre, Alexa, Jordan, Cami, Caleb, Ashley, Sarah, and Emma; great-granddaughters Rylee and Jessa, brothers: Robert (Chris) Sanderson, Kissee Mills, MO; sister, Gloria Stanton, Onalaska, WI; sisters-in-law, Lois Sanderson, Onalaska, WI and Karyn Sanderson, Marietta, GA; and many other relatives and friends.

Margie was preceded in death by her husband Howard; parents; sister Jeanie Jostad; brothers, Jerry, Thomas, and Roger; brothers-in-law, Ernie Jostad and Bob Stanton; and daughter-in-law, Erica Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.