Sister Claudia Nelson

Sister M. Claudia Nelson, age 88, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation, Fargo, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Ilama Mary (Ilamae) was born May 21, 1925, to Elizabeth Brown and Selmer Nelson in Chicago IL. The eldest of the seven Nelson children she grew up in Scobey, MT.

Ilamae entered the Order of the Presentation Sisters, received the name, Sister M. Claudia, and made Profession of Vows in 1946. She received her undergraduate degree from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul and her graduate degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. An accomplished musician and skilled liturgist, Sister Claudia taught vocal and instrumental music at St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s elementary schools in Fargo and at Shanley High School, St. James Academy, St. Alphonsus High School, and Gonzaga University.

For sixteen years, Sister Claudia was music director and liturgist at Blessed Sacrament Church in West Fargo. From 1995 until failing health intervened, Sister Claudia was music director and liturgist at Sacred Heart Convent.  She was gifted in eliciting the gifts of others for the praise of God in communal worship.

Sister is survived by the members of her religious Community; her sisters, Ann Marie Nelson and Lois Davin, and three generations of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; sister, Yvonne Nelson, PBVM;  and brothers, Richard, John, and Selmer (known as Pat).