Elli Nelson

Elli E. Nelson, 95, Veblen, passed away Friday, September 11, 2026, at HIA Heather’s House in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Veblen with Rev. Karie Geyer and Rev. Pat Schubert officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Karie Geyer, Rev. Pat Schubert, and Karen Hornseth. The service will be livestreamed on the First, Faith & Our Savior’s Lutheran Parishes Facebook page.

Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery, rural Veblen. Active pallbearers will be Bill Nelson, Adam Nelson, Phill Fulgham, Zachary Miller, Will Nelson, and Bo Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Elli’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and staff and residents of Countryside Inn Assisted Living & Memory Care.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. Prayer Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday afternoon one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Elli (Seidler) Nelson was born December 10, 1930, to Fritz & Maria (Guddat) Seidler in East Prussia, a province of Germany. She grew up in Almen a tiny farm community near the border of Lithuania. She was eight years old when the war broke out, and she was the second of three girls. They weren’t really affected so much until in 1944 (she was 13) when they were part of their communities of people that were “chased by the Russians” as they had to leave their homes, with very few of their belongings. The hardship and determination of her mother and the girls as they fled from what they knew as home, and the struggles along the way is a story that shaped her into the inspirational woman she was to anyone who knew her. Elli was interviewed for the local newspaper a few years ago, and detailed copies of her life story are available if anyone is interested (copies can be obtained from family).

In 1953, she met Johnny Nelson when he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. She would tell the story about this American soldier that followed behind her while she was walking home from the movies. She had learned some English and French, and he could speak a little German. When family asked how they could communicate, they would smile and say it was “the language of love.” They got engaged and he returned home to the USA in September. She came to America December 24, 1953, flying into Sioux Falls. They drove to Luverne, MN, that day and got married on Christmas Eve. They drove to NESD the next day and settled on the farm where they raised their family in Roberts County. She would tell that she had to learn to drive a car and how to bake bread. Elli became a US Citizen in 1958.

Elli was an amazing cook, baker, and seamstress. She could whip up a meal out of nothing in no time. Even if the gas truck pulled in the yard to fill the propane tank, she would come out and invite them in for coffee and a cookie. She could take a piece of clothing and remake it to fit. She took the pants Johnny wore for his high school graduation, cut them down and re-sewed them together to fit their boys to wear.

She was a wonderful servant of her Lord. She was involved with Church through years of being in Circle (WELCA) and helped with the monthly publication of the Outlook (church newsletter). She was one of the “knitters” for the Church’s “Prayer Quilt” project. She was involved with Al-Anon. At one time, she translated Al-Anon handouts for a national organization. She would receive packets of information from them to translate. She was an active member of the local Auxiliary. She served different offices, but she was most proud of her service as Chaplain. She put together prayer books that she received many awards for on the State level. She also was Chairman of the Veblen Blood Drive for 25 years. It was her mission to schedule as many people as possible to donate for this project near and dear to her heart. One of the projects she took pride in being involved with was the recognition of the teachers when the school closed. She was the most amazing Grandma and Great-Grandma. We will never do a “prost” (aka cheers) or sing “Hop Hop Hop Hop Rider” without thinking of her.

Johnny died in 1992 from a form of blood cancer. Elli remained on the farm near Veblen until September of 2024 at which time she became a resident of Countryside Inn Assisted Living & Memory Care Center (CSI) in Rosholt. The family cannot say thank you to them enough for welcoming her and taking such excellent care of her as part of the CSI Family. To see her settle in and to hear her say “this is my home now” was more comforting than words can express. She is survived by her four children: Jerry (LaDona) of Veblen, Peter (Cheryl) of Claire City, Dennis (Laurie) of Greenbackville, VA, and Heidi of Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Johnny; her parents; her sisters Hilde (Werner) and Helga; her in-laws: Cornar & Helen Nelson, Sherman (Anni) Nelson, Cecil (Arlene) Nelson, Jane (Arlin) Hammer, Ruth (Rueben) Beitelspacher, and Joy (Dick) Godmere; great-granddaughter Sophie Nelson; nephews Rick & Craig Godmere and Osmen & David Nelson; and niece Debbie Nelson.

The family thanks everyone for the beautiful messages and tributes to her. A few of our favorites are “to know her, was to love her” and “she leaves a beautiful legacy in all the lives she touched.” The only thing that makes this any easier is to imagine her living her best life in her heavenly home with those that went before her. God bless her special memory.