Iva Marie Nelson

So many family memories of Iva and the other “Forest Lake Cousins”. My favorite memories are of family get togethers and her hospitality. I will always remember surprising her at Faith’s 125th Anniversary service, and how happy she was to have us all there. Much love to the Nelson branch as you grieve this loss.

Iva Marie Nelson.
My mother’s life could be described in two words, “Family” and “Faith”.
Iva Marie Alm was born in Forest Lake, Minnesota in November 1929. She grew up during the Great Depression and World War 2 on the family farm west of Forest Lake with her older sister Lavern and her younger brothers Lyle and Russell. There were also two sisters, Lois and Betty who died as infants. They milked cows by hand and raised other farm animals. The whole family worked together to survive without most of the conveniences we take for granted now like electricity, running water, or central heat. As the family grew with new spouses, they were accepted in to the extended family with love.
heir family was always close and did many things together besides working. They attended township dances and everyone loved to play cards, particularly 500, and other games. They also passed those traditions on to their children.
When mom got married to Donald Nelson in 1952, they lived on the south side of the Twin Cities with strong ties to her new family. That didn’t stop them from attending Sunday dinners on “Grandma’s Farm” the majority of weekends. Sunday dinners are one of the most indelible memories from my childhood. Our grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins were there every week. There was always room and a plate for an unexpected guest or two that might drop in. Many times, my Grandma Nelson would join us as she was another member of the extended family. Mom continued this tradition at her house or apartment up until early this year.
Mom and dad had little interest in big houses or fancy new cars. They were much more interested in providing their children experiences rather than things. Almost every summer we would take off in our little tent camper, or pickup camper and travel the US or Canada. We went from Alaska to Florida and places in between. Often, we would take one of our grandmas with us. We explored, learned and expanded our world. We also gained an appreciation of just how lucky we were. After they retired mom and dad started traveling outside the US regularly and saw much of Europe, Russia and Australia. When mom was 82, she jumped on the chance to travel with Bob and family on a trip to China without hesitation. A few years later she traveled to Japan with Jeff’s family.
As Jeff and I got married, she loved becoming a grandmother. If someone asked her who was her favorite child, or grandchild she would answer without hesitation “I love them all equally!”. She had a special bond with her granddaughter Kristina. Mom would pick her up from school a couple days a week and they would walk home, talk and just spend time together. To Kristina it wasn’t Monday or Friday, but Grandma Day!
Mom was soft spoken and reserved but she was happy to be a friend, was a good listener and took the time to get to know people. She had great inner strength and commitment and genuinely cared about people. She rarely had anything bad to say and truly accepted people for who they were, treating everyone with respect. Everyone loved her because she gave away so much love unconditionally.
Mom grew up at Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake and was confirmed there. Her picture is in the confirmation photos by the offices. When she got married and moved away from Forest Lake, she adopted other churches, Diamond Lake Lutheran in South Minneapolis was her home for many years. When mom and dad built a house in Forest Lake she returned to Faith and has been a member since. She was an active member and volunteered for many years in the office up until she decided it was time to quit driving. Well into her 80s she would pick up several of the ‘old’ people that couldn’t drive anymore and take them to church and home afterwards. Mom and her sister Lavern were active with the church quilting group and other groups for many years.
Mom didn’t just practice her faith on Sundays, it was vitally important to her and she lived it every day of her life. She lived simply and was kind, generous, and genuine. She tried to live her life every day as Jesus had taught her.
There are many people that will carry memories of her and the love that she gave with them for the rest of their lives.