Gretchen Carol Nelson

Gretchen was born in 1937 in Brooten, MN to Wilbert and Alice (Schensted) Gildemeister. Before 10 she sang her first on-stage solo. Later, she heard the Concordia choir sing and loved the sound, and determined to sing in it. She made the choir in her freshman year, traveled with them to Europe, in ’58. She traveled through 32 countries, some with the choir.

At Concordia, she met Don Nelson, the love of her life. Perfect! Marriage and 5 kids— all who are wonderful, gifted and funny. She began to knit socks—at least 20 pairs of them and made enough jam to last a lifetime. Because of her writing experience, she was hired to teach gifted 8th graders in Irvine, CA. She wrote curriculum—Outcome Based History and English. The curriculum was ultimately adopted by the school district. In retirement, she wrote three Christian books.

Gretchen lived a grand life, but she would be the first to say that giving her life to the Lord was the most consequential thing she ever did. She is now with her Lord and Savior forever. Hallelujah!

Celebration of Life
October 24, 2025 at 2PM
Mount Carmel, Carlos MN