LaRae Nelson

LaRae (Freeman) Nelson of Champlin was born on February 26th, 1951 and went home to be with the Lord on May 12, 2025. She lived 74 joy-filled years, despite a twenty-four year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Stuart and Dorothy (Evenson) Freeman, siblings: Sherry, Larry, Billy, and Lee Freeman, her beloved first husband, Gary Oquist, a miscarriage, nephew Damon Blue, and niece Wendy Sullivan.
She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Robert Nelson, children: Michelle Smith (James), Cheryl Oquist, Matt Oquist (Kari), stepchildren: Scott Nelson (Sharon), Craig Nelson (Suzy), Pam Hayes (Mark), beloved grandchildren: Callie Nelson, Nick Nelson (Angel), Lauren Craft (Derek), Drew Hayes (Andi), Bobby Nelson (Haylie), Alesha Schaufler (Jeremy), Alex Hayes, Emily Bley (David), Claire Oquist, and Garik Oquist, fourteen great grandchildren, Sister Kathy Blue, sisters in law: Sharon and Kathy Freeman and numerous nephews and nieces.
LaRae graduated from Mora High school, Anoka Ramsey Community and Anoka Hennepin Technical colleges, enjoying a long career as a medical records hospital coder. The joy of her life was knowing and serving Jesus. A great highlight for her was serving as a deaconess at Elim Baptist church in Anoka, MN.
LaRae has many hobbies, including growing flowers, creating rock jewelry, and loving on her grandchildren. Her favorite hobby, as of late, was stitching cards while praying for each recipient as she stitched them. A fighter to the end, she fought secondary stage four bone cancer these last ten years without fear, knowing that Heaven was at the end of that journey. Fear not, she didn't lose her battle with cancer, she won Heaven.
Funeral Service will be Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 11 AM with a visitation 1 hour before at Bridgewood Community Church, 11670 Lexington Avenue NE, Blaine. Visitation will also be on Monday, June 9 4-7 PM at Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids BLVD NW. Coon Rapids.