Pearl Ardith Nelson died on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN at the age of 84 years, 1 month and 19 days. May her memory be blessed.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, June 26, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until time of the funeral on Saturday at the church.

Pearl Ardith Listol was born May 5, 1925 in Thief River Falls, MN, the daughter of Olaf and Clara (Burdick) Listol. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1943.

At age 18, she moved to Minneapolis to receive training at Dunwoody Institute as an acetylene gas welder, specializing in aluminum and other metals. Pearl was an accomplished welder, working in Minneapolis at Kronstrums, welding aircraft parts in support of the war effort. She met her future husband Roy V. Nelson in high school and they married at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN on November 22, 1947. To this union 14 children were born. In the fall of 1948 they purchased a farm in Grand Plain Township, Marshall County, MN where they operated a dairy and grain farm.

Pearl was a talented artist and an avid reader, traveling the world through many authors. She enjoyed the sunsets and fishing at Red Lake, gardening and coffee around the kitchen table with family and friends. Pearl loved to go blueberry picking with the blueberry ladies , made many pints of her famous chokecherry jelly, and baked dozens of chocolate chip cookies that were a favorite of the grandchildren. One of Pearls greatest joys was time spent with her grandchildren. She made a great contribution to the family farm in the fall of 1955 when she won $550 in the Minneapolis Tribune, Prizeword Pete Crossword Puzzle contest. Pearl was a member of Silver Creek Church where she was actively involved in the Ladies Aide and taught Sunday School for many years. Pearl enjoyed being a member of the neighborhood Birthday Club. She especially enjoyed the many visits from her only brother Vern.

Survivors include 13 children, Jim (Debbie) Nelson of Little Falls, MN, Leland (Ann) Nelson of Goodridge, MN, Roger Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN, Jackie (Roger) Philipp of Thief River Falls, MN, Steve (Marilyn) Nelson of Red Wing, MN, Marilyn (Jon) Crandell of Rochester Hills, MI, Jeff (Marilyn) Nelson of Bloomington, MN, Sherrie (Craig) Holmquist of West Fargo, ND, Scott (Peggy) Nelson of Worthington, MN, Nancy Gerardy of Kentwood, MI, Clark (Penni) Nelson of rural Goodridge, MN, Cory (Valerie) Nelson of Shorewood, MN and Kurt (Deb) Nelson of Warren, MN; 24 grandchildren, Michael and Christina Nelson, Christopher Nelson, Miranda and Troy Nelson, Ryan Philipp, Jami (Allen) Bolar and Robby Philipp, Andrew (Jessica), Peter and Karlie Nelson, Jon Crandell, Jr., Rebekah and Daniel Nelson, Chelsea, Marissa and Landon Holmquist, Kayla and Garrett Nelson, Brandon (Emily) Gerardy, Trent and Teagan Nelson, and Adam and Rachel Nelson; one great-grandson, Simon Nelson; brother, Vern (Vallie) Listol of Springhill, Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Helen (Richard) Wilson of Denver, Colorado, LaVonne (Don) Thune of St. Hilaire, MN, Irene (Wes) Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN, Violet Hensley of McMinville, Oregon, Irene Nelson and Vernice Nelson both of Thief River Falls, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy V. Nelson (June 15, 2009), her son David Michael Nelson, parents Olaf and Clara Listol, daughter-in-law, Marla Nelson; sisters-in-law, Marion (Glen) Olson and Barbara Listol; brothers-in-law, Jerrold Nelson, John Dale Nelson, Leo Nelson, Gordon Kaushagen, Glen Olson and Richard Wilson; and several nieces and nephews.

Organist:
Soloist at Funeral Service: Debbie Nelson The Lords Prayer & Precious Lord Take My Hand
Duet at Funeral Service: Andrew Nelson & Karlie Nelson O Christ The Same
Hymn at Prayer Service: You Have Come Down To The Lakeshore accompanied by Marilyn Nelson
Duet at Prayer Service: Judy Olson & Luke Kaushagen One Day At A Time
Congregational Hymns: Beautiful Savior & Amazing Grace
Casketbearers: Pearl & Roys children, Jim, Leland, Roger, Jackie, Steve, Marilyn, Jeff, Sherrie, Scott, Nancy, Clark, Cory, & Kurt
Honorary Casketbearers: Pearl & Roys Grandchildren
Scripture Reader: Nancy Gerardy
Family Message: Scott Nelson