Sarah Jane Nelson 1907-2009

FRENCH, LENNON, NELSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 8/17/2009 at 13:33:20

Sarah Jane Nelson, 102

Sarah Jane Nelson, of Tempe, Ariz., formerly of Postville, passed away in her sleep on Monday, June 8, 2009. She was 102.

Sarah was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. There will be a Memorial Service on Thursday, July 16, 2009, 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church with luncheon to follow. Interment will be in the Postville Cemetary.

Sarah Jane (Lennon) Nelson was born on April 19, 1907, on a farm in Winneshiek County north of Castalia, the daughter of Elmer James Lennon and Cora Elnora (French) Lennon. Her family included two brothers, Howard Elmer and James Mcintyre Lennon. She and her brothers were baptized on July 11, 1920, by Pastor Paul Koren at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church near Decorah, and confirmed there on May 17, 1925, also by Pastor Koren.

Sarah graduated from Postville High School with the class of 1925. Members of that class included Evelyn Pilgrim Ruen, Florence Swenson Ruckdaschel, Catherine Staadt, Elsie Schultz Kneeskern, Sarah Lennon Nelson, Walter Rosa, Dr. Milton Kiesau, and Clinton Smith. Sarah may have been the oldest living survivor of this class.

On March 6, 1926, Sarah married Edward Nelson in the Lutheran parsonage, Decorah, by Reverend 0. J. Glesne. The couple had two sons, Edgar and Francis.

Sarah's life was dedicated to raising her family and teaching. She taught elementary schools for 32 years beginning with the one-room schools, then in town consolidated and community schools. These included the Gregerson, Minert, Brick, Crossroad, Farmersburg schools, the Luana consolidated, and the Monona and MFL community schools. She taught 18 years in the MFL Community School District. In between, she taught Sunday School for many years as a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and was active in circle ministries.

After retirement, Sarah also taught English as a second language to several of Postville's newest residents in the mid to late 1990s. During retirement, Sarah loved to: spade/plant garden; grow flowers; have coffee/sweets with friends; quilt; visit family members; fish off the dock at Stingy Lake, Minn., and bathe in the sauna; take Sunday dinner and visit brother James, watch the ball game, fall asleep; and many more. She handled personal adversity and that of others with encouragement, often saying - such is life.

Sarah moved to Arizona in 2001 to keep an eye on her remaining son Edgar. She lived with Edgar and wife Arlet for 4 years and was overheard saying - I think we're going too much. On April 30, 2005, she became a resident of Clare Bridge of Tempe, Ariz., a Brookdale Senior Living Community. Here, Sarah was a model resident participating in life enrichment activities much like that of her former students. She loved Bible studies, worship services, and hymn singing. She knew all the words by heart. On each visit by family members, she was asked if she had any aches or pains and the answer was always negative. In answer to the question - would you like to go back to teaching? She said - not anymore, I just like to sit and hold down my wheelchair. Sarah was sharp and witty to the very end. She could recite the pledge of allegiance, with emphasis on 'under God,' without blemish, do simple math additions from memory, and spell Mississippi in a jiffy as her students used to do. Son Edgar, now the teacher, always gave her a passing grade as well as a big hug and '1 love you, Mom.'

Sarah became a centenarian on April 19, 2007, and was recognized by President George and Laura Bush as well as the governors of Arizona and Iowa. Sarah left a signature legacy on this earth and a passel of memories. She wore a small shoe size, but they seemed much larger. Sarah had an irrepressible kindness and love for all. She will be sorely missed by everyone she came in contact with. Her residence is now in Heaven with the Savior whom she loved so much.

She was preceded in death by her father Elmer who was the Postville Town Constable, killed in the line of duty (1939); her mother Cora (1973); brothers Howard (1988) and James (1999); her husband Edward, a retired cemetery sexton, passed away in 1987 at the age of 89; son Francis, an ordained Lutheran pastor with parish in Hibbing, Minn., died in 1986.

Survivors include her oldest son Edgar (Arlet) in Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter-in-law P. Jean Nelson, Nashwauk, Minn.; five grandchildren, Steve (Diane) Nelson, Aurora, Minn.; Phil (Holly) Nelson, Lakeville, Minn.; Kris (Paul) Steussy, Fargo, N.D.; Kimberly Nelson, Phoenix, Ariz.; Kara Kofka, Chandler, Ariz.; plus 13 great grandchildren.

The Postville Herald-Leader, July 8, 2009
Contributor is not related and has no further information.

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