LaVerne Nelson

LaVerne Nelson, 99, of Battle Lake, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls.

There will be a visitation on Monday June 1, 2026, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake from 4-6, with a prayer service starting at 5. Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Zion of Amor Lutheran Church in Amor, Minnesota, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place after the service at Zion of Amor cemetery.

LaVerne Violet Nelson passed away on May 25, 2026. LaVerne was born on June 18, 1926, in Wahpeton, ND to Claus and Ella Johnson. When she was five years old, she moved with her family to Amor Township, where she would spend nearly her entire life on the family farm.

LaVerne was baptized on August 15, 1926, in Pelican Rapids and was later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, where she faithfully served as organist for 64 years. It was there she met Norman C. Nelson, a deacon of the church. The deacon and the organist were married on April 2, 1955, beginning a loving partnership rooted in faith and community. To this union they were blessed with 5 children.

LaVerne attended Amor Country School through the eighth grade and graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1944. She later graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1946.

She taught kindergarten, first, and second grades in Verndale, Canby, Fergus Falls, and Detroit Lakes for a total of nine years. While teaching, she also attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. Though her years in the classroom eventually ended, LaVerne remained a lifelong teacher at heart. For decades, she shared her love of music by teaching organ and piano lessons to countless students, touching many lives through her patience, encouragement, and faith-filled spirit.

LaVerne found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved riding her side-by-side through the trails on her farm, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, and baking sweet treats for family and friends. Her home was often filled with laughter, card games, puzzles, and spirited rounds of Parcheesi, always accompanied by something delicious from her kitchen.

She was deeply artistic and creative, enjoying sketching, tatting and tending to her flowers. After the house fire in 1978, Laverne designed their home and built many pieces of furniture.

LaVerne will be remembered for her faith, kindness, creativity, love of teaching, and devotion to her family and community.

Proceeded in death by her husband Norman, her son Jeffrey Nelson, sisters Clarice (David) Ohman and Lois (Morris) Rice.

Survived by her children, Virgil Nelson, Louise (Douglas) Anderson, Peter Nelson, Kermit (Lori) Nelson; grandchildren Sarah (Eric) Hartley, Tina (Richard) Anderson, Heidi (Eric) Scott, Ryan (Tori) Anderson, Annie (Rod) Nuthak, Lindsey (Matt) Kugler, Michelle (Jeremy) Umlauf, and Brandi Nelson; great-grandchildren, Austin (Megan Nephew) Anderson, Makayla Anderson, Sonia Nelson, Gracyn Kugler, Ricky Kugler, Hank Scott, Violet Nuthak, Oscar Scott, Silas Hartley, Sada Hartley, Ella Umlauf, and Jack Umlauf; great-great grandchildren Koa Harrison and Tucker Anderson.

Survived by many good friends and neighbors.