Clara Nelson

Clara Lauretta (Haugrud) Nelson, age 88, of Perham, MN, was called to her heavenly home on Monday, June 29, 2009, at the Perham Memorial Hospital and Home.


Clara was born July 4, 1920 , to Knute and Johanna (Sundstrom) Haugrud on the Haugrud homestead farm north of Pelican Rapids, MN. She attended a country school and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1939. That fall she enrolled at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis , MN , and graduated from there in 1941.



While attending, LBI, Clara met Everett Nickolie Nelson of Belmond , IA. She and Everett were married on August 30, 1942 , at Grove Lake Lutheran Church . After Everett ’s graduation from Luther Seminary in 1945, they moved to Ephraim , WI , where Everett served his first parish. They also lived in Seneca , IL , Wessington , SD , Kenyon , MN , and Roland , IA.



She was active in many church organizations and ministries including WELCA, bible studies, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School , and Church Release Time Classes. Clara also enjoyed making church quilts and banners for many years. She worked as a nursing assistant at Bethany Manor in Story City, IA, and as a school cook in Roland , IA. Clara loved to entertain, cook, and bake. She was also an accomplished seamstress.



Clara and Everett enjoyed retirement years at their lake home on West McDonald Lake (Dent, Perham area) moving there in 1984. Family gatherings were a highlight for them and Clara especially liked preparing meals for her family. Clara will be remembered fondly as a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She dedicated her life to Christian values and faith and she was an inspiration to her family and friends.



Clara is survived by four children, Jonathan (Jill) Nelson, Hugo, MN; Paul (Kathy) Nelson, Mason City, IA; Sharon (Daryl) Haarstick, Vergas, MN; and Mary (Dave) Thoresen, Lake Wales, FL; ten grandchildren, Stephanie (Brian) Zumbolo; Matthew (Kenza) Nelson; Kristin Nelson; Priya, Shristi, and Jonathan Thoresen; Kimberly (Chris) Simmons; and Jeffrey (fiance Cheri), Mark, and Thomas Haarstick; four great grandchildren, William, Isabella, and Even Zumbolo, and Ellowyn Simmons; two sisters, Linda Alsager and Mildred Robley; and two brothers, Milton Haugrud and Arlan (Delores) Haugrud.



Preceding Clara in death are her parents; loving husband, Everett; sister, Kathleen Haugrud; brother, James Haugrud; sisters-in-law, Velma Haugrud and Marlene Haugrud; and brothers-in-law, Delman Alsager and Douglas Robley.