Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Sunday, June 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.

Service: Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2024 at Canton Lutheran Church. 

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           Mary E. Nelson, age 92, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024 surrounded by her family at Good Samaritan Society Canton.  Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2024 at Canton Lutheran Church.  Visitation, with family present, will be Sunday, June 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.

          Mary was born on September 10, 1931 in Hudson, SD to John and Lucy (Roussin) Anderson.  She lived in rural Hawarden until 1940 when her family moved to a farm near Newton Hills.  Mary has lived in Canton since 1946.

          Mary was united in marriage to LeRoy Aasheim in Luverne, MN on June 4, 1954.  Sharon and Roger were born to this union.  LeRoy died in 1958.  Mary married Ernest Nelson on July 31, 1959 in Luverne, MN.  Linda, Darryl and Darla were born to this union.  Ernest died in 1981.

          When not raising her 5 children, Mary worked as a cook at the Lewdoc Café.  She was an excellent cook who rarely followed a recipe. Mary enjoyed the simple things in life and loved being around people, walking, family reunions, and playing bingo.

          She has been a member of Canton Lutheran Church since 1958 where she enjoyed volunteering and serving on WELCA.  She also volunteered at the Canton nursing home and was a member of the VFW and Lion’s Club Auxiliary.

          Grateful for sharing her life are her sons, Roger Aasheim and Darryl Nelson; daughters, Linda Severson and Darla (Ray) Boren; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Laverne Nelson and Eliose Penny; son-in-law, Randy Severson; along with numerous extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her 2 husbands; daughter, Sharon McDermott; grandson, Charles; great-grandson, Martell; sisters, Lillian Westover, Gladys Lundstrom, and Marcella Wright; and brothers, Hjalmer, Alfred, Lloyd, Lavern, Earl, Selmer, and Donald.