Arlene Gertrude Nelson

Arlene Nelson, age 94, of Wolverton, MN, died on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Eventide on 8th in Moorhead, MN.

Arlene G. (Foss) Nelson was born February 23, 1931, to Guy and Inga Foss. She grew up on the family farm, the youngest of three sisters, south of Christine, North Dakota. She always had cats and dogs on the farm to cuddle.

Arlene graduated from Christine High School as valedictorian in 1949, even while occasionally skipping class to catch the bus to Fargo, North Dakota for an afternoon of shopping. She attended Interstate Business College, then worked for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator.

At Christmas 1949 she started dating Melvin Nelson from Wolverton, Minnesota. They became engaged on Valentine's Day, 1950, and were married on July 28, 1950, at Richland Lutheran Church, rural Walcott, North Dakota.

Arlene joined Melvin on the farm east of Wolverton, Minnesota, where they farmed for 57 years. During this time, they raised four sons. Arlene enjoyed gardening, bird watching, quilting at church and the local homemakers group.

In the spring of 2016 Arlene moved to Eventide Assisted Living in Moorhead, Minnesota. In the Fall of 2022 she moved into the adjoining Eventide Nursing Home where she resided until her death June 12, 2025.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, her parents Guy and Inga Foss and her sisters Pauline and Verna. She is survived by her sons Bradley (Veronica) Nelson, Wolverton, Sheldon (Linnea) Nelson, Orlando, FL, Duane (Natalie) Nelson, Wolverton, and Tom (Helen) Nelson, Dickerson, MD; and three grandsons Paul Nelson, Joel Nelson, Nick (Mara) Nelson.

Arlene was dedicated to both her family and the farm, fully embracing her roles as a homemaker, caregiver, and often, a vital part of the farm's operations.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, MN, with Rev. Devlyn Brooks, officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery, rural Wolverton, MN. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, MN, with a Prayer Service at 7:30 PM.

We would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Eventide Senior Care and Living. If desired, friends and family may make memorial contributions to Eventide.