Marion Elaine Nelson
April 10, 1933-Sept. 29, 2018
Marion Elaine Nelson,
85, Rugby, died on ear-
ly Saturday, September
29, 2018 at Heart of Amer-
ica Medical Center in
Rugby. Marion was born
on April 10, 1933 in De-
vils Lake, North Dakota to
Edward and Clara Amelia
(Paulson) Elverud. She
lived in Benson and Pi-
erce counties and graduat-ed from Rugby High
School in 1950. As a
young lady she worked at
Merchants Bank for a few
years before she married
Marlowe Alvin Nelson on
October 16, 1955 in
Berwick, North Dakota.
For many years they
operated a grain and lives-
tock farm in Torgerson
township – Pierce county.
She and Marlowe also
operated one of the few
mink farms in North
Dakota for about 10 years.
Marion took care of the
animals as a daily task.
Many people will
remember Marion’s talent
as a hunter where she
took pride in her skill to
harvest a deer every sea-
son until her health failed
her. Most of all people
from the surrounding
areas will remember her
for her fine crocheting
work. She produced
thousands of doilies, ta-
blecloths, bedspreads,
lace, snowflakes and
angels from miles of
thread of all colors.
Marion won many awards
for her art including Sons
of Norway International
awards. Her products
shipped to customers as
far away as Norway,
Japan, and Australia. She
served her community by
working in the Civil De-
fense program in the
1960’s, the US Census,
township election board,
the Democratic-NPL party
and enjoyed many, many
political conventions.
She was a long time
member of Bethany Luth-
eran Church in Rugby and
its WELCA organization,
the Sons of Norway Odin
Lodge # 87, in addition to
the Pioneer Daughters of
Towner. Family relation,
dedication, motherhood,
and involvement was
highly important to her as
she followed the family in
their daily lives, her
grandchildren’s many
sporting events in addi-
tion to family time watch-
ing professional sports.
She is survived by her
children, Dr. MariJean Eg-
gen – Brownsburg, India-
na, Mark Nelson – Rugby,
and Marvin and his wife
Susan Nelson – Rolla. She
also leaves a brother,
Duane Elverud and step-
siblings Richard Elverud,
Dale Elverude, and Lois
Strahsburg. Four grand-
children and 2 great-
grandchildren will miss
their grandmother,
Marion. She was preced-
ed in death by her hus-
band, Marlowe on April
10, 2002, a sister, Marcel-
la Larson, and her
parents.
Funeral services will be
held on Friday, October 5,
2018 at Bethany Lutheran
Church in Rugby at 2:00
P.M. with Rev. Barbara
Haugerud officiating.
Pamela Anderson will
provide music for the ser-
vice and Josh Dryer, An-
nika and Eirik Eggen, Gor-
don McOuat, Michael
Mygland, and Carl Nelson
will serve as casket bear-
ers. Members of the Sons
of Norway serve as
honorary pallbearers.
Burial will follow the ser-
vice at Persilla Watts
Cemetery in Rugby.
Visitation will be held
at the Niewoehner Fun-
eral Home on Thursday,
October 4th from 4-7 PM
and an hour before the
service at the church on
Friday.
On line tributes at
www.niewoehnerfh.com
Niewoehner Funeral
Home – Rugby
701-776-6222.