Avis Nelson
October 12, 1926 ~ September 23, 2023
Born in:
Rapid City, South Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Avis Fawn Nelson (Herman), age 96, of Fargo, ND passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at SMP Health – St. Catherine North.
Avis was born October 12, 1926 in Rapid City, SD to Henry and Iona Herman. She was raised in rural MN and graduated from Tintah High School in 1944. Post high school, Avis graduated from New York Hair Dressing Academy of Fargo, in 1946. She was then employed at Minnette’s Beauty Shoppe in Wahpeton, ND. She met Lee Nelson of Milnor ND, her one great love, at a dance at the Pavilion in Breckenridge, MN. He asked her if she wanted a ride home, she said OK, he replied “let me get rid of the gal I brought.”! They were married Aug. 1, 1948 for 37 years and raised 5 children in Milnor, Wahpeton and Mayville, ND. After Lee passed in 1985 Avis lived in Fargo. She wed Walter Otterson in 1994. He passed in 2010.
Avis was a member of the First Congregational Church, UCC at Moorhead, MN. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and enjoyed Bridge club, bowling, and an occasional trip to the Casino with her sister, LaVonne, in tow. Avis renewed her driver’s license last year at age 95.
An avid sports fan she loved all MN sports teams, especially the Timberwolves and the Twins. She was a great cook, famous for her beef roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, along with her homemade buns and lemon meringue pie. Avis enjoyed many summers at her cabin on Pickerel Lake, of which she owned for over 55 years. We can’t forget she was a fashionista. She had great style and taste from her well-coiffed hair to her perfect nails. She dressed for dinner and was never seen in sweatpants! She was fiercely independent and opinionated. That being said, she loved as hard as she fought!
Avis is survived by her children, Keith (Bonnie) Nelson, Kindred, ND, Kreig Nelson (Lynn Runck) Palm Springs, CA, Dale (Marilyn) Nelson, Wahpeton, ND, Chad Nelson (Susan Neunschwander) Bluffton, SC and Dawn (Steve) Helle, Waconia, MN. Eight grandchildren Darek (Catie) Flaten, Matthew (Jane) Nelson, Maggie (Chris) Suda, Ryan (Kiera) Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Evan (Darby) Nelson, Elle Nelson and Ariana Nelson-Klug (Michael Kalb), twelve great grandchildren and her siblings, brothers Gary Herman (Ione) Palmdale, CA, and Durlyn Herman, Wahpeton, ND, and sisters-in-law Marlys (Gene) Herman and June (John) Kvam.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Lee A. Nelson and Wally Otterson, her parents Henry and Iona Herman, her siblings, Glenn Herman, Gene Herman, Iris Albert, LaVonne Beckius and brothers-in- law, Karl Albert, Ted Beckius and sister-in-law, Liz Herman.
Funeral: Thursday, September 28, at 2:00 pm, Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND with reception to follow. Rev. Michelle Weber officiating.
Burial: Lakeside Cemetery, Milnor, ND
Special Thank you to the staff at St. Catherine’s North and Ethos Hospice for their guidance and support in caring for our Mother.
Services
Visitation: September 28, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Memorial: September 28, 2023 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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May your Mom have eternal peace and joy with our loving God and her legacy of love live on in all of you. Remembering you all in my thoughts and prayers. Fr. Tim Bushy
Thank you Father Tim, hope you are doing well. If you are ever in Fargo please give me a call.
Marcene Malusky, Thoughts and prayers to your family.
Thank you Marcene.
We have you in our thoughts and prayers. Losing a parent is never an easy event. We know Avis was struggling at the end and it wasn’t easy for her or you, her children. She now is on her new adventure.
Dave Dornacker/Jody Spencer
Nelson Brothers,
Sending my sympathy to your family on the passing of your mom.
Few are blessed to have their parents in their lives for as many years.
May you treasure the memories of her love and example.
Thank you Marge for your thoughts and kind words. We were blessed to have our mother for all those years. May God bless you and your family.
Hi Lee and Cynthia, thank you for your kind thoughts and sympathy. Mother had a blessed long life, she would have been 97 on Oct 12.
Hope you are enjoying you new life in Florida and also your time on lake mcdonald.
Hi Lee and Cynthia, thank you for your kind thoughts and sympathy. Mother had a blessed long life, she would have been 97 on Oct 12.
Hope you are enjoying you new life in Florida and also your time on lake mcdonald.
The Nelson Kids were always considered special in Mayville for many reasons. They were kind, funny, friendly and sophisticated. I attribute this to your parents, Lee and Avis, who were such fine, fine people. They raised you right and it always showed. I wish you all a very memorable and gentle day as you send your mom off to reunite with the man that she so greatly loved.
Nelson family,
Yours is a wonderful family and you have our deepest sympathies at this time. Your mother was an impressive lady and she must have been a great parent as reflected in all of you.