Irene Nelson

Irene Ethel Lois (Enkers) Nelson, 91, Rosholt, SD, formerly of Sisseton, SD, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 6, 2014, at the Rosholt Care Center.

Funeral services were Wednesday, July 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton with Rev. William J. Schruba officiating. Music was provided by organist Mona Greseth.

Burial was in the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt. Honorary pallbearers were the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, the Meadowlarks and all of her friends. Active pallbearers were Randy Lee, Dale Lee, Peter Nelson, Jason Trower, Bill Schrader, Mark Campbell, Sean Nelson and Andrew Kostick.

Visitation was Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and continued Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Irene was born April 2, 1923, at Hankinson, ND, to Erick and Annie (Rustan) Enkers. She was baptized at United Church of Christ in Hankinson and confirmed at the Lutheran church in Fairmount, ND. They moved to Rosholt in 1930, and she attended school at Victor No. 1 Country School.

On July 20, 1941, Irene married Ralph Emanuel Nelson at the Bethania Lutheran parsonage in Rosholt. Ralph and Irene lived north of Rosholt, south of Rosholt in Bryant Township, then moved to Beardsley, MN, and finally to Sisseton October 1, 1959.

Through the years Irene worked for Lloyd Lee's Resort, Landsbergers Creamery, Sisseton Public School, Tekakwitha Nursing Home, A & W Restaurant, Schiltz Foods, I-29 Motel, and Johnson's Funeral Home of Rosholt. Irene did volunteer work for 33 years at Tekakwitha Nursing Home, Greenleaf, and also sang with the Meadowlarks. She was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion Auxiliaries. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton.

Irene, M&M Grandma or Grandma No No enjoyed traveling when Ralph was still here, especially going to California to babysit. Fishing, tending her garden and flowers, going to rummage sales, dancing and a good screwdriver always made her happy. Irene liked to play cards and board games with friends and family sometimes leading to a good argument which she thoroughly enjoyed as well!

Irene was always busy and on the go but always had time to make her famous mints for confirmations, graduations and weddings. She always had Spaghettios, cheese, mandarin oranges, cranberries and M&Ms on hand.

Irene is survived by three children, Ralph Jr. (Denise) Nelson of Visalia, CA, Shirley (Larry) Lee of Rosholt, and Beverley (Ray) Trower of Breckenridge, MN; a sister, Lucille Larsen of California; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Enkers of Wisconsin and Bernice Nelson of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Randy (Gina) Lee, Dale (Betty) Lee, Cheryl (Peter) Nelson, Wendy (Mark) Campbell, Jason Trower, Tasha (Andrew) Kostick and Sean Nelson; great-grandchildren, Jami and Jason Bird, Chad (friend Kea) Lee, Bryan (Julia) Lee, Logan Schrader, Burgandy Schrader, Travis (Katie) Campbell, Justin (friend Shannon) Campbell, Ashley Campbell, Emma Kostick, and Drew Kostick; great-great-grandchildren, Katelyn Watson, Justin Bird, Hunter Lee, Aubrey Lee, Riley Lee, Parker Schrader, Carson Campbell, Caleb Campbell and one due in December; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ralph; brothers, Edward, Arthur and Warren (Eileen) Enkers; and brother-in-law, Alvin (Sonny) Larsen.