Loralea J Nelson

Mankato resident, Loralea "Lolly" Nelson died Sunday, January 11, 2009 after a valiant struggle against cancer.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday January 14, 2009 at Mankato Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to ISJ Hospice, American Cancer Research, or Mayo Cancer Research.

Born December 4, 1939 in Thief River Falls, MN to Anton and Thelma (Anderson) Larson. Loralea attended country school and St. Hilaire School through 8th grade and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957. Following high school, she worked at Hartz Wholesale Company until she married Eugene Nelson on August 1st, 1959. Lolly and Gene moved to Fairbanks, Alaska where they lived as a service couple and then as civilians until August of 1961. They returned back to Minnesota for the birth of their son Greg who was born January 9, 1962.

Loralea started her banking career at 1st Minneapolis Bank for 10-1/2 years until the family moved to Mankato where she transferred to First National Bank of Mankato in 1972. She held several positions until her retirement in December 1995 from FBS Mortgage. Over that time she helped a lot of people buy their first homes and if asked, could tell you about each and every one of them. She was also involved in the Mankato Board of Realtors as well as the United Way campaigns.

Lolly was very active in her church, Bethlehem Lutheran. Over the years she was a trustee, served on various boards and also serving as Secretary and Treasurer of the Church Council. She was President of the BWELCA for three years as well Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Annual Nordic Bazaar where she was in charge of the Lefse Baking Project. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir and took a lot of pride in wearing her robe while worshipping.

Some of the things she truly enjoyed were spending time with her Grandson Noah, and walking with her friends most mornings. Some of her hobbies included crafting, ceramics, quilting and gardening. She and Gene loved traveling together in their motorcoach for the past 10 years finding many adventures and new friends along the way.

Loralea is survived by husband, Gene Nelson; son, Gregory Nelson (Sarah); grandson, Noah Nelson; sister, Jacquelynn Hanson (Dale); sister, Teri Dawn Santema (Michael); brother, James Larson (Burnell); many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.