Elsa McNelis

Heaven has gained a sassy, smart and stubborn angel. Elsa McNelis, 86, passed away in peace Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at Birchview Gardens Assisted Living in Hackensack.

She was born in Duluth Feb. 25, 1938, to Per and Elizabeth (Lisa) Bylund, both immigrants from Sweden.

Elsa was a proud graduate of Denfeld High School in 1956 and moved to the Twin Cities after graduation. She worked in the office at General Mills for seven years. She married Charles Nelson in 1961; they moved to Hackensack in 1966 and later divorced in the early 1980s.

In 1985 Elsa wed John McNelis and moved to Minnetonka. She worked in the activities/athletics office at Minnetonka High School and loved every minute of it. They lived in Minnetonka, but spent the summers listening to the loons and enjoying the beautiful sunsets in Hackensack on Larson Lake. Upon John's passing, Elsa remained in Hackensack full time where she enjoyed reading, gardening, playing bridge and spending time with family and friends.

Elsa was very proud of her Swedish heritage. She was able to speak Swedish and could converse with her many Swedish cousins on her numerous trips to Sweden. She had a love of traveling the world and made trips to Europe, Spain, Mexico, Russia and many places across the United States. Elsa's faith was very strong as was her love of the piano. She loved singing in the choir and also was an organist at the Union Congregational Church (UCC) in Hackensack for over 50 years.

Elsa loved her family deeply and enjoyed sharing her Swedish culture and traditions, such as baking Swedish bread with them. She is survived by her daughter, Kirsten (Todd) Eggena of Hackensack; sons Karl (Aly) Nelson of Andover and Eric (Sara) Nelson of Lino Lakes; grandchildren Blake (Grace) Demars, Morgan (Cody) Johnson, Kyle Nelson, Kallie Nelson, Amanda Nelson, Kamryn Nelson, Cade Nelson and Heath Nelson; great-grandson Boone Demars; step-brother David Erickson; several nephews, a niece and Swedish cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father Carl Erickson; step-sister Phyllis Sherman; and step-brother Ken Erickson.

The family would like to express its sincerest appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Birchview Gardens who provided outstanding care and tenderness to Elsa.

Visitation will be held Jan. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11 at the Union Congregational Church (UCC) in Hackensack.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Union Congregational Church of Christ in Hackensack or Paws and Claws Rescue and Resort in Hackensack. A live stream of the memorial service will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@ucchackmn/stream.

Arrangements handled by Brenny Funeral Chapel in Pine River.