Celestine "Sally" Nelson, age 90, of Mahnomen, MN, died Friday, September 23, 2011 at her home.

Celestine Marie Nelson, daughter of John and Anna (Neubauer) Liebl, was born October 23, 1920 on the family home in northwest Mahnomen County. At a young age, she moved with her family to a farm south of Mahnomen and attended Kings School. For the first years of her adult life, Celestine helped on the family farm and worked at the Corner Café. She then spent time in Milwaukee, WI working at a leather boot factory. During WWII, she was employed at the Northern Pump Defense Plant in Minneapolis, MN. On November 17, 1947 Celestine was united in marriage to Gordon Nelson and together they operated the dray line in Mahnomen. When their children where young, Celestine began working at the Red Owl Store in Mahnomen, a position which she retired from over 30 years later. She then continued to stay busy helping her son at Bob's Meat Market for several years. Gordon passed away in 2001 and Celestine continued to make her home in Mahnomen.

She was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Ladies Aid. In past years, she was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary. Celestine loved to garden and enjoyed canning her produce each year. She made many wonderful friendships at the Senior Center playing penny Bingo and also liked an occasional trip to the Casino. Celestine was often found in the kitchen cooking and baking. She loved to spoil her family with homemade kolaches, mocha cakes, and gingersnap cookies; adding just the right ingredients and the perfect amount of love that no one can duplicate.

Celestine is survived by two daughters: Kathy (Steve) Haider of Mahnomen and Bonnie (Dan) Lorenz of Apple Valley, MN; three sons: Bill (Denise) Nelson of Mahnomen, Bob (Vicki) Nelson of Dilworth, MN, and Michael Nelson of Mahnomen; eight grandchildren: Sari, Desiree, Russell, Kristie, Dustin, Kaylie, Nicole, and Riley; six great grandchildren: Danica, Dillan, Jadynn, Alivia, Taylin, and Lucy; and one sister-in-law, Marjorie Dybing of Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Ben and Edward; and three sisters: Helen, Mary, and Adeline Sharbono.


Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen, with Fr. Tony Fernando officiating. Brenda Sorensen will serve as pianist, Carol Liebl as cantor and Dave Kochmann as saxophonist. Serving as pallbearers will be Celestine's grandchildren: Sari, Desiree, Russell, Kristie, Dustin, Kaylie, Nicole, and Riley. Honorary bearers will be her great-grandchildren and her friends from the Senior Center. Visitation will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 27 from 5-7, with a Prayer Service beginning at 7PM and a Rosary to follow. Rosary will be led by Carol and Cletus Liebl. Interment will take place at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen.