Beverly Jean Nelson, 90, passed away on June 10, 2020 at the Brookings Hospital. Public visitation will be held at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga between noon and 5 pm on Sunday, June 14, 2020 with Bev’s children and their spouses present outside the chapel. A celebration of Bev’s life will be a private service for her family on Monday, June 15, 2020 at First Lutheran Church, Volga. The funeral will be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Beverly Jean Nelson was born April 25, 1930 to Herman and Martha (Munson) Thompson at the Madison Hospital in Madison, South Dakota. She was baptized into the Christian faith at Lake Madison Lutheran Church, rural Rutland. She grew up in the Rutland area and graduated from Rutland High School in 1948. She met her future husband, Wilmer Nelson, at the Lake Campbell roller rink where they both enjoyed skating. They were married on April 24, 1949 in her home church. They farmed south of Volga their entire married life of 52 years. Bev worked side-by-side with Wilmer on the farm until 1968 when she began working part-time as a bookkeeper at the East Central Mental Health Center in Brookings. In 1974 her position became full-time and she worked in that capacity for another 18 years. She then became a “runner” in the Records Department at the Brookings Medical Clinic. After working there for nine years, she retired at the age of 72. She enjoyed those years working outside the home and the many people who became lifelong friends.
Beverly’s love for music began at the early age of four when she sang a solo as she stood in the front pew of the church, her mom accompanying her. She sang at special occasions throughout most of her life, deciding to retire when she reached 80 years of age.
Bev was a woman of strong faith and as a faithful member, she served her beloved First Lutheran Church in Volga by serving on numerous boards and committees, directed the cherub, junior and senior choirs over the years, taught Sunday School, Bible School, was active in the women’s group and circle, the women’s Bible Study. One of her proudest moments was being elected President of the East Central Conference when it was known as the American Lutheran Church Women. She directed the ALCW convention choirs for several years.
Bev was a devoted wife and mother, always putting others before herself. She was a hard worker, independent, opinionated, loving, humble, generous and a good storyteller thanks to a great memory. Getting up at 4 AM, baking a batch of cookies or cupcakes, putting dinner in the oven for Wilmer and doing a few loads of laundry before leaving for work by 7:30 were part of her daily routine, all done without complaining.
She and Wilmer loved attending any events in which their children or grandchildren were participating. Family members and friends could always count on fresh homemade buns and cookies afterwards, sometimes served right out of the trunk of the car! The family has often wondered how many batches of buns she has made in her lifetime. Not bad for someone who did not know how to cook when she got married.
After Wilmer passed away January 24, 2001, Bev remained on the farm for another thirteen years moving to Volga in 2014. Cancer and back surgery in 2013 slowed her down but could not squelch her spirit.
Anyone who knew Bev knew that she loved her family. It did not matter if you were born into it or joined along the way, she loved you. One of her greatest gifts was her ability to see the good in people and in so doing, helped them feel better about themselves. Up until April 6 when she suffered a stroke, she continued to lead her family as the matriarch and she was looked to for advice and wisdom, well-earned from a lifetime of experiences. She has left an indelible imprint on the lives of all who were blessed to know and love her.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Grateful for having shared her life are her children Cheryl (Arlan) Hagena, Lennox, SD; Jeanie (Robert) Mayer, Sioux Falls, SD; Joel (LeAnn) Nelson, Volga, SD; Greg (Sandy) Nelson, Pipestone, MN; Tim (Sharlene) Nelson, Garretson, SD; grandchildren: Jonathan (Tara) Hagena, Lennox, SD; Holly (Zach) Ochoga, Sioux Falls, SD; Heidi (Lee) McCoy, Blair, NE; Thomas (Heidi) Hagena, Van Nuys, CA; Nicholas (Lindsey) Mayer, Harrisburg, SD; Sara Mayer, Sioux Falls, SD; Bradlee Nelson, Volga, SD; Jeffrey (Traci) Nelson, Tea, SD; Brian (Ana), Sioux Falls, SD; Tammi (Kevin) Sampson, Tacoma, WA; Michael (Amy) Nelson, Pipestone, MN; Chad (Chelsea) Nelson, Peyton, CO; Kayla (Noel) Carstensen, Pipestone, MN; Marcus (Amanda) Nelson, Garretson, SD; Mariah Nelson, Brookings, SD; great-grandchildren: Peter, James, and Alex Hagena, Hannah, Arlan, Claire and Junia Ochoga, Bennett, Brigham, Greta, Gentry, Griffin and Georgia McCoy, Kinley, Camden and Hazel Mayer, Brooke, Jacob, Summit and Easton Nelson, Ethan Sampson, Knox and Bergan Nelson, Braxton and Brynleigh Nelson, Gabriella and Theodore Carstensen and Emily Jo Nelson; sisters-in-law Arlene Granum, Eldora (Sis) Watson, Anna Nelson; brother-in-law Wayne (Carolyn) Nelson; and many nieces and nephews and special friends Dolly Oines and Miriam Waddington.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer, great grandson Kayden Mayer, sisters Myrtle Graff and Helen Graff, and her parents, Herman and Martha Thompson.
Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church and designated to Bergh Cemetery.
