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Thora Nelson

Thora Marie Nelson, 86, Stanley, passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, April 7, 2015, after a courageous nine-month battle with leukemia.

Thora, the daughter of Sigurd and Olga Bakke, was born May 6, 1928, near Ross. She was the seventh of 10 children. She grew up on the family farm, attended Cottonwood Township Country School through eighth grade, and then roomed in Stanley to attend high school. She graduated from Stanley High School in 1946 as salutatorian of her class. Following graduation, she worked at the Scandia American Bank, in Stanley. It was during her employment at the bank that she met Wallace R. Nelson. They were married July 17, 1949.

Thora and Wally raised six daughters: Geraldine Sue (Chancey) Henin, Kathleen Kae (Rory) Porth, Jacolyn Rae Nelson and Pamela Jo (Kelly Schunke) Nelson, all of Stanley, Bonita Marie (Greg) Pogany, Rapid City, S.D., and Cynthia Lee Nelson, Albuquerque, N.M.

Thora also assisted Wally with their farming, ranching and farm machinery businesses. She was actively involved in the operations and maintenance of Flickertail Village and Museum. She was an active member of the American Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, Stanley Hospital Auxiliary, Tioga Sons of Norway, and the former Handy Hands Homemakers.

She enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends, reading, sewing, crossword puzzles and gardening.

Thora is survived by: her six daughters; 11 grandchildren and their families, which includes five great-grandchildren; her sisters Sylvia Olson, Tioga, and Nina Williams, Cottonwood, Ariz.; her brother, Ernest (Judy) Bakke, Oronoco, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. She had been looking forward to the birth of three additional great-grandchildren this year.

Thora was preceded in death by: her husband; her parents; her siblings, Alvin, Bernice, George, Lewis “Benny,” and Maurice; and great-grandchild, Oliver Skarsgard.

Funeral services will be: 11 a.m. Monday, April 13, at the American Lutheran Church in Stanley.

Burial will be: at the Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation is: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at Springan Funeral Home, Stanley.

Online condolences may be shared at springanfuneralhome.com.