Martha Nelson

Martha J. (Todd) Nelson, age 90, of Willmar, died Wednesday morning, May 14 at Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar.
A time of gathering and sharing will be held from 3-5 PM on Sunday, May 18th at The Oaks at Eagle Creek Golf Course in Willmar. Private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials are preferred to the Osage Tribal Museum at 819 Grandview Ave., PO Box 779, Pawhuska, OK 74056. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. (www.petersonbrothers.com)
Martha Jean Nelson was born October 29, 1923 in Independence, Kansas, the only child of Gerald and Jessie (Patterson) Todd. She grew up in that area and graduated from Independence High School and Independence Community College. She married Air Force Lt. Roger E. Nelson on December 22, 1944 in Independence, Kansas. Roger and Martha made their home in many places, including Kansas, Texas, Alabama, Montevideo MN, New London, Cottage Grove, Lakeville, Eden Prairie, and eventually retired in Willmar. Martha was proud of her Osage heritage and after retiring made a number of trips to Osage country in Oklahoma. She also enjoyed dining out, being on the lake, traveling in their RV, buying antiques, and winning at the meat raffle!
Martha is survived by her husband of 69 years, Roger Nelson of Willmar, one son, Stuart (and Carol) Nelson of Hutchinson, one daughter, Ann (and Jim) Mitchell of Minneapolis, four grandchildren; Laura (Jessie) Erdal, Robert Nelson, Nickoli Mitchell, and Jackson Mitchell and three great-granddaughters. Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Iris Backlund of Kandiyohi, one brother-in-law, Richard Tornquist of Willmar and seven nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law, Nickoli and Laura Nelson, one brother-in-law, Allan Backlund and one sister-in-law, Katherine Tornquist.

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