Shirley Ann Nelsen

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, June 9, 1937
Date of Death:
Friday, December 12, 2014
Age:
77 years old

Visitation

Date: Friday December 19, 2014
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Memorial Service

Date: Friday December 19, 2014
Time: 2:30 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, June 9, 1937
Date of Death:
Friday, December 12, 2014
Age:
77 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, June 9, 1937
Date of Death:
Friday, December 12, 2014
Age:
77 years old

Shirley Ann Nelsen

The beloved Shirley Ann Nelsen, 77 yrs old, passed away 12/12/14 after a several  year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Shirley was born in 1937 in Minneiska, MN, graduated from Winona High School in 1955 and moved to Rochester. She married Chuck Nelsen in 1956, and was employed by the Mayo Clinic until her retirement in 1998. Shirley was very active with several charitable organizations, most notably, a significant contributor to The Hope Lodge, affiliated with the American Cancer Society. She also served as a mentor for Compassionate Friends and several other national and locally based charities. She had a heart of gold and loved to help others in need.

Shirley is survived by 2 daughters, Julie Nelsen of Trophy Club, TX, Peggy Wohlers of Mahtomedi, MN,(husband-Gregg Wohlers), 3 grandchildren: Katie, Brad and Charlie Wohlers. She is also survived by 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Shirley’s passing was preceded by the passing of her youngest daughter Pam in 1996, her husband Chuck in 1997, and her brother, Jack Nepper in 2007.

Shirley had a passion for dancing, golf, and “The Red Hats Club”. She enjoyed traveling, the family lake house and attending the grandkids school functions.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held Friday Dec. 19th at 2:30 p.m. in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, address : 1105 12th Street SE Rochester, Minnesota 55904. Visitation will be held from 1:00pm,untill the service time.  In lieu of flowers, the family please requests that memorials be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association of MN/ND Chapter.

Shirley had an infectious laughter and sense of humor along with an exemplary sense of compassion. She will forever be missed by all the lives she touched.

Condolences

The family of Shirley Ann Nelsen has received the following condolences.

Condolences to and Shirley's siblings and my dear cousins — Rita, Mary Lou, Bob, and Dean— Shirley's children and grandchildren, and her many other kinfolk who all loved her dearly and grieve her passing on. May God be willing, we see her again on the other side!

Peggy and Julie,

Please know you are in our thoughts.  We hope you find peace and comfort in the wonderful memories of your mom!! 

Michaun and Dave Marcoux

Oh Shirley...beautiful friend inside and out.  May you rest in peace - or dance in Heaven with Chuck and Pam. Your choice! Please smile down on all of us as we mourn your death. With tears in our eyes and sadness in our heart, we will miss you.

We believe in those "signs' from Heaven just like you did, so we will be watching for the Light. Be with us, and help us laugh and celebrate life as we recall all the fun times we shared with you. 

Cheers, good friend, cheers! Dick and Jane Satre

What a beautiful picture of Shirley. I will miss her, but I have all my memories. Rest in Peace aunt Shirley. 

So sorry to here about Shirley's passing.  It is always so hard to let go.  Hopefully memories will stay in your mind and heart always.

Our deepest Sympathy to Julie, Peggy and family.  We are thinking of you during this sad time in your lives.

I have great memories of your Mother , then my girls and you were growing up. Doing Brownies, and  girl scouts  together

in the basement of your  home.  

Marian and  Wayne  Blagsvedt

Oh Mrs. Nelsen!  So many memories.  Sleepovers, cabin trips, lake fun, trips to FLA, - our Mom's giggling together and us all having so much fun together as families!!  She was such a fun mom and full of life and laughter!!  She will be missed greatly.  Peggy and Julie, you are in my thoughts and prayers in these coming days.  May you find peace and comfort in knowing that your Mom will be dearly missed and that she has left a happy mark on this world. God bless you all!

To shirley's Family,

Isn't it wonderful to remember your Mom as just a crazy person who loved to laugh and make others laugh with her?Memories of the old neighborhood and good times are greatly treasured!  Her light has dimmed but her laughter will always be remembered by all who knew her!

Renee & Dick

So sorry for your loss of your mother. Our prayer is that you will find comfort and peace in knowing that mom is in a better place... no pain and no sickness.

So sorry to hear about Shirley.  She was a great neighbor and good friend for many years.  Sincere sympathy to Peggy and family and Julie.  I am in CA so can't attend her memorial but will be thinking of the family.

 

Karen Gronvold

Peggy, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  Your caring and love toward your mother was exceptional and when you talked about her I always felt you were each so lucky to have one another.  The love between a mother and daughter is special; you'll always carry her memory in your heart. God bless you and your family during this difficult time.

Praying for you all as you are going through this loss.  Peggy, you provided your mom with laughter, grace and dignity these past years as she was suffering this horrible disease.  I can't imagine the pain you must be feeling right now.  Your love for your mother was seen by so many and you are a model of selfessness.  God bless you Peggy (and your family).

Peggy~My heart aches for you, as I know the path your on right now, all to well.  Alzhemeir Disease is wicked and no one understands what it's like to have a parent suffer this, unless they have unfortunately walked this path also.  I will always treasure all the afternoons I shared with our moms playing games.  Your mom was very special to me and I really feel I was to her.  I was the only one she would hit with a smile on her face, and I knew to her it was a love tap.  Just think they are playing King's Corner in Heaven with no one helping them.  And sitting in the diningroom at the first table on the left with Marge and Phylis, just like the good old days.  I thank God for putting you in my life, as we are always there for each other and when no one else understood what we were going through, we had each other for support.  I'm always here for you and never further than a tex away.  God Bless you sweetie, your in my thought and prayers.  Just remember," That threw God all things are possible", that is what gets me threw each day.~~Love~~~Cyndi