Edna Nelson, age 80, of Ada, MN, formerly of Gary, MN, died Sunday, August 31, 2014, at the Benedictine Care Community, Ada, MN.

Edna Lucille Fandrich was born at home near Burnstad, ND, on March 8, 1934, the daughter of Gustav and Violet (Schauer) Fandrich. She attended country school and later graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1953. Following graduation, Edna was united in marriage to Virgil Nelson in Hillsboro on October 11, 1953. The couple made their home on a farm northeast of Twin Valley, MN. As a devoted and skilled farm wife, Edna worked alongside Virgil with the field work and the daily operations of the dairy farm. In addition to these daily chores, she also grew a huge vegetable garden with a plentiful harvest for canning and was an accomplished seamstress.

Edna and Virgil were active members of St. Petri Church. She taught Sunday School for 3 decades and presided over countless Christmas pageants. She was also part of the Ladies Aid, Bible Circle and quilters who sewed for missionary work. During the 50's and 60's, Edna was involved with the Homemakers Club and as her children grew, she held the position of a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader for numerous years. She was also known by many for her abilities in creating and sewing beautiful Barbie doll clothes, vintage doll clothes, complicated quilts, stylish prom dresses and repairing torn sports uniforms and barn overalls. Over the years, Edna made many beautiful quilts for family, friends and fundraisers, winning countless ribbons for her projects. She truly enjoyed sewing and quilting, but found time for reading and traveling as well.

After the children graduated, Edna worked at the Red Apple Café and Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen. Virgil died in August of 2010 and Edna remained on the farm until the Spring of 2011, when she moved to Ada. Edna enjoyed visiting with friends, spending birthday and holidays with family and volunteering at the Twin Valley Senior Center, even after she moved to Ada.

Edna is survived by sons, Mike (Angela) Nelson and Bruce (Tina) Nelson both of Ada; daughters, Susan (Jerome) Ruud, Twin Valley, MN, Jeanette Rosenheim, Devils Lake, ND, Sharon (James) Sheehan, Pueblo, CO, and Cindy Nelson (Tom Anderson), Bemidji, MN; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Allan (Jackie) Fandrich, West Fargo, ND; and sister, Alice Moffett, Fargo, ND, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Edna was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Violet Gustin and infant, Shirley Fandrich; and brothers, Albert Fandrich and infant, Arthur Fandrich.

Funeral Services were held Friday, September 5, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. Visitation was held at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley on Thursday, September 4, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. and continued one hour prior at the church on Friday. Officiating was Pastor Jack Carlson and Pastor John Ahola with Kris Wilkins serving as organist and special music provided by Monica Winter and Tanya Kemper. Pallbearers were Mark Fandrich, Brian Fandrich, Billy Moffett, Jens Andersen, Darren Andersen and Mike Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Adam Rosenheim, Marnie Rosenheim, Sara Sheehan, Hillary Sheehan, Carson Starkey, Isaac Starkey, Tanner Kasel, Madelyn Nelson, Parker Nelson, Griffin Nelson, Aubrey Berg, Dylan Berg, Josiah Berg and Noah Ulmer.

Inurnment took place at St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary.