Verona May Nelson

VERONA MAY NELSON April 6th, 1926- April 8th, 2017                 Verona May Nelson peacefully entered her eternal home on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND surrounded by her loved ones following suffering a heart attack two days earlier. Verona was born on April 6th, 1926, in Jamison, Nebraska to Ted and Hilda (Rabe) Serr. It was in the Naper, Nebraska area where Verona grew through her early childhood years.  She  moved  to Mills, Nebraska in the 1930’s with her family where she attended country school and grew to womanhood.  In the late 1930’s Verona professed her faith in the Lord and faithfully followed his teachings throughout her life.  As a young woman, Verona ventured to Lincoln, Nebraska and gained employment working as a waitress.  On November 4th, 1948, Verona was united into marriage to Walter Fred Nelson in Lincoln, Nebraska.  This union was blessed with 5 children; Jerry, Jean, Judy, Julene, and Jolene. The young family made their home in the Utica, Nebraska area where they dairy farmed.  In 1960, they moved to Mills, Nebraska where they continued farming until 1966, when they ventured to a farm north of New York Mills, Minnesota where they farmed until retiring in the mid-1990’s.  Verona devoted her life to making a warm loving home for her family. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, and caring for the needs of her family.  In her spare time, Verona also enjoyed crocheting, embroidering and working on jigsaw puzzles.   In 1994, Verona moved to Park Rapids where she made her home at the Court Apartments. She worked as the assistant manager until she attained the age of 88 and retired.  She was loved and appreciated by both the residents and management there. Due to failing health, she moved into the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga in June of 2016.  Above all, Verona loved her family with all her heart.                 Verona will be lovingly remembered by her son, Jerry Nelson and his wife, Kathy of Menahga; four daughters, Jean and her husband Ron Genoch of Menahga, Judy Fischer of New York Mills, Julene and her husband, Paul Reichling of Park Rapids, Jolene and her husband, Monte Goeson of Butler, MN; 14 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 14 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.                 Verona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter in 2015; her brother, Roland Serr and his wife, Nell.                 Funeral services will be held 1 PM Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Bruce Van Stelton and David Bergh officiating.  The organist will be Nita Steinbrecher.  Congregational hymns will be: “Life Passes Like A Dream”, “Where All Is Peaceful” and “Called Home To Rest”.  The active casket bearers will be Verona’s grandsons: Ross Genoch, Jack Nelson, Derek Reichling, Wayne Nelson, Brent Nelson, Bradley Nelson, Rick Vandermay,  Andy Goeson, Tanner Goeson and Jared Goeson.   The honorary casket bearers will be her grand daughters: Brenda Teberg, Cheryl Genoch, Kristi Kern and Vanessa Hietala.  Interment will be made in the Hillview Cemetery of Paddock Township, Otter Tail County.  A luncheon will follow the service. To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.