Jeanette "Jean" Nelson

Jeanette "Jean" C. Nelson, 84, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Bethany on 42nd, Fargo, ND.

She was born on November 5, 1931, in Crookston, MN, to Vivian A. Lavely and Leona (Wheatley) Lavely. Education was highly valued in her family and she attended Minnesota State University Moorhead along with three of her four siblings: Mary Copperud, Ruth Austin, and John Lavely. Her eldest brother, Robert Lavely, fought in WWII.

Jean taught school for 33 years. In Moorhead, she taught at Washington, Sharp, Riverside and Probstfield Elementary Schools.

Jean met her husband, Rodney W. Nelson, through mutual friends and they married in Holstein, IA, on April 6, 1954. They settled in Moorhead, where they raised their son, Steve.

Jean enjoyed reading, golf, and gardening. Her family and friends looked forward to her homegrown tomatoes and chokecherry jam. She also took pleasure in traveling with friends and her siblings, Mary, Ruth, and John. They took trips to Canada, Hawaii, and enjoyed a paddleboat tour down the Mississippi River. These trips provided many happy moments that drew them even closer together.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Rod; their son, Steve; sister, Ruth Austin; brothers, John and Robert Lavely; and nephews, Thomas Austin and Barry Copperud.
Jean is survived by her sister, Mary Copperud of Altadena, California; nieces and nephews; Brian Austin, Helen Tieger, Claire Barclay, Wendy Price, Jill Copperud, Shivon Lavely, and Nora Allarea, all of California, Jeanne McCutcheon of Indiana, and Ross Lavely of Nevada; and eleven great-nephews and nieces.

A funeral service for Jean will be held on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at 10 AM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. Visitation will be the hour before the service. Burial will be in Seljord Cemetery, Clearbrook, MN.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Online guestbook: www.korsmofuneralservice.com