Obituary of Charlene Nelson

Charlene Mary Nelson 07/20/1941-10/25/2018 Charlene "Char" Nelson passed away peacefully on October 25, 2018 at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 77. Char was born on July 20, 1941 in Morris, Minnesota, the eldest of six children. When Char was nearly 7 years old, her parents, Charles and Lucille Nienaber, bought a resort on Lake Kabetogama near Ray, Minnesota, and the family packed up and moved up there, excited to face a new adventure. The resort, Rocky Ledge Resort, had seven cabins and even boasted a general store! A few years later, her family packed up and moved again, this time out West to Lemon Grove, California where her father, Charles, helped his brother, Bill, with his business, a 22-pump filling station called Bill's Self Serv. She and her family moved back to Minnesota about seven years later where they settled in the small town of Villard. Char graduated from Villard High School in 1959 and spent a few years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, working at Honeywell. She met Frank Nelson (DuWayne), whom she married on September 7, 1962. Char and DuWayne had four children, Scott, John, Patrice and Deanna. They settled in Villard, Minnesota where Char was involved in many activities including serving as a city clerk, serving as president of the V.I.C. and working as a columnist for the Osakis Review newspaper for many years. She was also involved with the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Villard, where she enjoyed being a eucharistic minister for many, many years. DuWayne was gone quite often as he was employed as an over-the-road truck driver, but Char had no problem keeping herself busy! She also began selling Avon, which she continued to do for many years. Char and DuWayne eventually grew tired of the harsh Minnesota winters and spent quite a few years being "snowbirds," spending their winter months in Yuma, Arizona. They moved out to Yuma full-time in December of 2002 where they lived for many years. Char again became active with selling Avon and was involved in many of the park activities where they lived, including serving as the park president. Char was known for having a zest for life, never letting anything get her down. She loved riding her bicycle outdoors, listening to music (especially the "Golden Oldies"), going to movies, Lindt chocolate, cheesecake, Kokopellis and "Dancing with the Stars." After becoming paralyzed from the waist down following a failed scoliosis surgery in December of 2015, Char and DuWayne moved to Tucson to be closer to their youngest daughter, Deanna. After spending a few years in assisted living facilities, they moved in with Deanna in February of 2018. Due to being paralyzed and bedbound for an extended period of time, Char battled many health issues, which progressively became worse over the years. She fought right up until the end. Her spirit didn't want to give up, but her body just couldn't fight anymore. She is loved dearly and will be missed by so many, not only in Arizona and Minnesota, but all over. Char's parents, Charles and Lucille Nienaber, and grandson, Andrew, have wrapped their loving arms around her and are welcoming her into heaven where she is now able to walk and dance again like she so loved to do before her paralysis. Char is survived by her husband of 56 years, DuWayne; her children, Scott, John (Linda), Patrice (Chad) and Deanna; three grandchildren, Nathan, Devin and Shauna; her brothers, John (Carol), Dwayne (Elaine) and Donnie (Jane); and her sisters Marshielle (Darryl) and Bonnie (Jack), not to mention many, many nieces and nephews and too-many-to-count friends. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at her daughter Deanna's home in Tucson. Funeral services will be held in Minnesota at a later time, which is to be determined. Rest in peace, Char, and remember: "Love you more - always and forever."