Carole Joy Nelson

Mankato Mortuary
1001 North Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202

Carole Joy Nelson, age 67 of Burnsville, died unexpectedly of health complications while traveling on vacation to Colorado in Omaha, Nebraska.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the 11:00 a.m. service on Friday at the church. Burial will be held in Riverside Cemetery in Annandale, MN. Memorials may be given to RAGOM.org (Golden retriever rescue of Minnesota). Mankato Mortuary www.mankatomortuary.com in charge of arrangements.

Carole was born July 26, 1950 to Harold and Joyce (Hultgren) Nelson in Mankato. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1968 and then graduated from Mankato State with a B.S. degree. Carole worked for Green Giant in LeSueur, Del Monte, Combi-bloc in California and then Boston Scientific in Minneapolis before retiring.

Carole enjoyed traveling the world with John, winters in Scottsdale, hiking with her mermaid friends. She volunteered at Loaves and Fishes and many other soup kitchens. Carole was a longtime foster for Golden Retrievers through RAGOM. Carole had a passion for agate hunting, something she tried to do every year with her sister. She was generous, loving, always welcoming and was a beloved friend to many people. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and family.

Carole is survived by her son, Michael (Jenny) Hager of Mankato; granddaughter, Aria; partner, John Pearson; siblings, Charles (Pat) Nelson, Carla (Brian) Knapp, Christopher (Maryann) Nelson; nieces and nephews, Beth (Ken) Boyum, Sarah (Richard) Tuma, Anne (Tim) Sheridan, Kevin Knapp, Kristin Knapp, Kyle Knapp, Andy Nelson, Ben Nelson.

Preceded in death by her parents.