Marlys "Joan" Nelson

Marlys "Joan" Nelson, age 92, of Hendricks, MN, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the Hendricks Hospital in Hendricks, MN. Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Monday, April 6, 2026 at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks, MN. Visitation will be 11 am to 1 pm on Monday, April 6, 2026 at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks, MN. Burial will be in the Hendricks City Cemetery, Hendricks. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.

Marlys "Joan" (Peterson) Nelson, daughter of Alvin and Clarice, was born August 26, 1933 in Hendricks, MN. She grew up on her family farm near Fish Lake, attended country school located on their farm and graduated from Astoria High School in 1951. Joan then attended Sioux Valley School of Nursing and graduated as an RN in 1954 and started her nursing career at Hendricks hospital. She was united in marriage to Dan Nelson Jr. on May 8, 1957 at Woodlake Lutheran Church, rural Astoria and they enjoyed sixty years together. The newlyweds moved to DeRidder, Louisiana where Dan was in the U.S. Army and Joan worked as a nurse. Dan was honorably discharged in 1958 when his father passed away and they moved to Pipestone, MN to support his mom and his young brother on the farm while Joan continued nursing.

In 1963, Dan and Joan moved to her family dairy farm and spent many years raising their family while Joan worked 11-7 nights at the Hendricks Hospital for twenty plus years, so she could be with her kids during the day. She especially enjoyed surgery, labor and delivery. Joan had a strong faith and calm spirit. She enjoyed baking her delicious homemade buns and buttermilk pancakes for her family. She loved spending time with her family and was always interested in her grandchildren's endeavors.

In 1986 they relocated to California where Joan continued her nursing career caring for new mom's and babies-her 'specialty' sharing her twelve-hour nights with her nursing friend, Marilyn.

Upon moving home to Hendricks for retirement in 2003, Joan enjoyed volunteering at the Thrift Store, Bloodmobile, and spending time with family and friends including the nursing friends called the 'Jean' group regularly visiting Jean Lovro. Joan was a member of Christ Lutheran Church.

Joan loved her RN profession and valued being a kind, caring, gentle and compassionate woman. She was especially proud of being a mom to her five children. Joan also enjoyed her eighty-plus-year friendship with Barb Olson.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her five children: Jody (Dan) Hakes of Woodbury, Minnesota, David (Kim) Nelson of Belpre, Ohio, Julie Nelson of Hendricks, Duane Nelson of Astoria and Jennifer (David) Mitchell of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; ten grandchildren: Ben (Liz), Kalley (Ben), Rachel (Connor) Andrew, Ryan, Joanna (Brandon), Michael (Melissa), April (Terry), Colin and Courtney, several great and great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Sharon and a niece and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, parents, infant sister, Sonia, brother, Robert, and double first cousin, James (Caroline) Peterson. Also, Joan's parent in-laws, Dan Sr. and Cecilia, brothers-in-law, Don and Paul, niece, Barb, and nephew, Steve Nelson.

Blessed be her memory.