Alda Ann Nelson

ALDA ANN NELSON February 8, 1925 – May 29, 2016                   Alda Ann Nelson, age 91, a long-time resident of Park Rapids, MN, peacefully passed into eternal life on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living with her niece, Gayle Pierce and dear friend, Shirley Johnson at her side.                 Alda was born on February 8, 1925 to Albert and Nettie (Laidley) Wendt in Turtle River Township of Grand Forks County, North Dakota.  She graduated from the Manvel High School in Manvel, ND with the Class of 1943.  Alda then went on to attend the Union Commercial Business College in Grand Forks.  She was united in marriage to Clarence Adrian Nelson on June 13, 1948 in Middle Grove Lutheran Church in Mekanock, North Dakota.  Alda was employed as a legal secretary for nine years in East Grand Forks, MN and then ventured to Springfield, IL where she worked for two years before moving on to Columbus, Ohio where she invested 13 years of her professional legal secretary career.  Alda held a secretarial position in the merchandising division of the Jewel Tea Co in Chicago for three years and then went on to retire in 1982 as the closing supervisor in the Real Estate Investment Department of Nationwide Insurance of Columbus, Ohio.  Alda had served as the President of the Columbus Association of Legal Secretaries and had also served as President of the Franklin Toastmistress Club of Columbus.  She and Clarence were members of the Park Rapids Area Travel Club and enjoyed traveling extensively throughout their lives together.  Alda was also a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post Auxiliary #212.                 Alda is lovingly remembered by her niece, Gayle (Bruce) Pierce of Two Harbors, MN and her nephew, Aaron (Stephanie) Carr of Round Rock, TX; three great nieces and two great nephews; as well as cousins: Ronald (Gayle) Hoverson of Henderson, NC and Elroy (Adrienne) Hoverson of Mesa, AZ and special friends, Shirlely Johnson and Steve Rairdon.                 She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Nelson in January of 2015; her parents and one sister, Beatrice (Wendt) Carr.                 Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with the Reverend James Neubauer officiating.  The casketbearers will be Daniel Pierce, Timothy Pierce, Steve Rairdon and Jeanna Pierce.  Interment will be made next to her husband, Clarence in the Memorial Park South Cemetery of Grand Forks, ND.  Visitation will be held beginning one hour prior to the funeral service.  A luncheon will be held at the funeral home following the service.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute, please visit www.jonespearson.com In Lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to the Headwaters Animal Shelter.