Donna F. Nelson

Donna Faye Spillum Nelson, age 85, passed away March 23, 2024 at Hawley Senior Living, Hawley, Minnesota after a long and courageous battle with dementia.

She was born September 27, 1938 to Melvin Sylvester Spillum and Emma (Anderson) Spillum. She was the fourth of nine children. She was baptized and confirmed at Rollag Lutheran Church. Donna attended District 3 country school in Rollag through the eighth grade, and completed her high school years, graduating from Hawley High School in 1956. She later earned a degree in elementary education at Valley City North Dakota State Teachers College. Her teaching career began in Granite Falls, MN. She also taught in the Aitkin, MN public school.

She married William V. Nelson, Jr. of Ogden, UT in 1971 and became a step-mother to his daughters Ardis and Susan. She taught in the Weber County School District for many years and retired after teaching for several years at Christian Heritage School in Ogden, UT.

Donna was an active member of Washington Heights Church in Ogden, UT and served in various roles and capacities there for many years before moving into Assisted Living in Hawley, MN in 2012.

Donna will be remembered for her love of teaching, travel, music, and her kind and generous spirit.

Donna is survived by her son Kyle Nelson, daughter Ardis Nelson, two grandchildren, Kevin and Aubrey, sisters and brothers:  Elsie (Gene) Peterson, Lakeville, MN; Wanda Alonzo, Sacramento, CA; Roger (Nancy) Spillum, Rollag, MN; Nancy (Erhardt) Dallmann, Alexandria, MN; Gloria (Doug) Barth, Thief River Falls, MN; Tom (Gail) Spillum, Rollag, MN.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Sylvester and Emma Spillum; brother Sanford Spillum; sister Adeline Anderson; her husband William V. Nelson, Jr.; and daughter Susan Nelson Scott.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley and Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services for Donna Nelson of Hawley will be held on Friday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at the Rollag Lutheran Church.