NELSON, Mary Larson (1877-1980)

LARSON, NELSON, RASMUSON, BENNETT

Posted By: DiAnn Reindl (email)
Date: 7/28/2008 at 22:03:52

Mary Nelson passes away at 102 years

Furnal services were held at United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake Friday afternoon for Mrs. Mary Nelson, 102, who died Tuesday, Jan. 8 at Westview Manor Nursing Home in Britt. She was Hancock County's oldest resident at the time of her passing.
The Rev. Richard Davis, pastor conducted the last rites. comfort in music was provided by the vocal duet of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Rensink and Jeannette Rogness, organist. Interment followed in Crystal Township Cemetery and the Carter-Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Casket bearers included Donald Cottington, Wilber T. Smith, Calvin Sorenson, Kenneth Sorenson, Paul Smith and Richard Smith. Ushers were William Leerar and Wilber Sorenson.
Mary Larson Nelson, daughter of pioneer Hancock County settlers Martin and Carrie Larson, was born Oct. 22, 1877, in a sod house at Buffalo Grove in the Crystal-Bingham township area. At the time of her death, she was 102 years, two months and 16 days of age.
Early in her life, the family moved to the Upper Flat area where she attended the rural schools. At the age of 16 she attended a dressmaking school at Albert Lea, MN and following that, she served for many families in the Upper Flat area.
April 4, 1900, she married Andrew Nelson and the couple established their home at Crystal Lake where she was employed by the Crystal Creamery. In 1908, they purchased a grocery store in Crystal Lake, and this business has been operated by members of the family ever since. It is now operated by a son, James Nelson.
Mrs. Nelson was a 75 year member of the crystal Lake United Methodist Church and was always active and dedicated to her church.
She is survived by four children, including Mrs. Helen (Rolf) Rasmuson of garner, James Nelson of Crystal Lake, Wilber Nelson of Lakewood, Cal., and Mrs. Miriam (Clark) Bennett of Des Moines.
Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, a daughter-in-law Elsie Nelson of Forest city; a sister, Mrs. Olga Jensen of Crystal Lake and many relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in June 1943 and her oldest son, Morton.
Virtually all of the important events of Crystal Lake and Crystal Township happened within her lifetime and she left to all who knew and admired her a heritage of love, courage and devotion.

Britt News Tribune, Thursday, Jan., 17, 1980