Myrtle Sophia Nelson, 98, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, June 6, 2011. Myrtle, one of 14 children of Martin and Selma Olson, was born February 8, l913, at home and grew up on the Olson homestead seven miles south of Geneseo, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at Bergen Lutheran Church, rural Geneseo. She attended Woodlake School for eight years, and later took classes in MN at Grand Marais High School.

In l935 Myrtle moved to Ada, MN to work where brothers, Leonard and Art, were living. She married Thor Gilbertson on March 30, l939 in Twin Valley and on August 6, 1941, they gave birth to a daughter, Pernell Joy. Tragically, Thor died in l942 of a heart attack. Upon his death Myrtle and Pernell moved to Grand Marais, MN where Myrtle worked for brother-in-law, Kenneth Grimsrud, in the County Agent's Office, and her sister, Lillian, took care of Pernell.

In November 1943, Myrtle and Pernell moved to Mahnomen where, for several years, Myrtle was a single parent and worked as bookkeeper at the AAA Office and then at the Mahnomen Creamery. One of the farmers who frequented the creamery was Palmer Nelson. He and Myrtle were married on March 30, l954 in Mahnomen, MN. They blended their families, as Palmer had two sons, James "Jimmy" and John. They enjoyed many years together, traveled extensively, and designed and built their own home where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. One could always stop by Myrtle's house for a cup of coffee and cookies. She would drop everything to make you feel welcome.

Myrtle and Palmer had the wonderful experience of being grandparents to Scott Nelson, son of Pernell and Earl Nelson, born June 30, l966, and Billy Nelson, son of Jimmy Nelson, born September 3, l957. Sadly, Pernell died in 1986, and Palmer died in 1987. Myrtle continued living in her home for five years before moving to downtown Mahnomen where she lived in two different apartments. In 2007 she moved to the Mahnomen Health Care Center where she and her sister, Hilda Olson, resided together.

Myrtle was a grand woman who lived life with a "glass half full" attitude. She had an infectious smile and enthusiastic spirit. At 98, she still walked several miles a day, waltzed on her birthday, cheered for the Minnesota Twins, and traveled to be with family whenever the opportunity arose. It was likely that if her sight had not become impaired, she would have still been golfing, playing cards, and cooking up a storm. Two well worn bookmarks in her bible are descriptive of how she lived her life: "Your life and mine shall be valued not by what we take….but by what we give." And, "A friend is someone who reaches for your hand, but touches your heart." She was truly an inspiration and will be deeply missed.

Myrtle is survived by her grandson, Scott Nelson, Mankato, MN; her step-son, John Nelson, Phoenix, AZ; step-grandson, Billy Nelson, Minneapolis, MN; sisters, Hilda Olson, Mahnomen, MN, and Thelma Jones, Rising City, NE; Scott's step-mom, Evie Nelson, New Ulm, MN; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, daughter, step-son, son-in-law, parents, 7 brothers and 4 sisters; and step-daughter-in-law, Theresa (John) Nelson.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday.

Interment will be at First Lutheran Cemetery, Mahnomen.