Loretta G. Nelson

August 16, 1916-July 16, 2011

Visitation: Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m., with family present 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home Canton, SD.

Service: Memorial services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20 at Romsdal Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD. A private family burial will take place prior to the service in the church cemetery.

Loretta G. Nelson, age 94, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls, SD.  Memorial services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20 at Romsdal Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD. A private family burial will take place prior to the service in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m., with family present 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home  Canton, SD.
 Loretta was born August 19, 1916 in Thayer, IA the second of thirteen children to William and Ruby (Cochran) Courtney.  She was fondly nicknamed  by her siblings as “Pink” or “Pinky”. She graduated from Lorimor, IA High School and Normal School.  She then taught for a couple of years.  On September 2, 1939 she married Millard Nelson.  The couple made their home on a farm south of Canton for 45+ years.  Millard died in 1983.
 Loretta was a founding member and director emeritus of the Olde Town Theatre in Worthing, SD.  She had been active in Romsdal Lutheran WELCA and Sons of Norway.
 Grateful for having shared Loretta’s life are her sons, Larry (JoAnn), Tekamah, NE and Bob, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Pat, Sioux Falls, SD; brother, Keith Courtney, Des Moines, IA; sisters, Bess Schmidt, OR, Gloria Thomas, Des Moines, IA, Marlyne (Frank) Varnum, Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Marlyse (Dennis) Grosch, Bull Head City, AZ; grandchildren, Todd Nelson, Mark (Brenda) Nelson, and Susan (Roger) Hofer; great-grandchildren, Brian, Jeff, Sarah, Nick and Greg; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband and grandson Scott.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Olde Town Dinner Theatre 121 S. Main St. Worthing, SD 57077.
www.andersonandsonsfh.com

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  1. Vicki Burwell, Niece on October 26, 2011 said:

    Loretta was my wonderful aunt and godmother. I have great memories of her when I was growing up. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

  2. Micheline Varnum on October 26, 2011 said:

    Loretta was a wonderful lady who influenced my mother-in-law’s life greatly. I also have many good memories of her visits during the past 20 years. She would always make me her creamed corn since she knew how much I liked it. We love you and will miss you Aunt Pink.