Dorothy M. Nelson (Haugen)

Dorothy M. (Haugen) Nelson

May 20. 1924  ~  May 4, 2020

Dorothy M. Nelson, of Waconia, MN, formerly of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020, at New Perspectives Senior Living Center.

Committal service will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. starting at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with burial to follow immediately in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Dorothy May Haugen, daughter of Christ and Anne (Clifton) Haugen, was born on May 20, 1924, in Maddock, ND. She was a Baptized and Confirmed member of North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock. In school, she rose to the top and graduated Valedictorian of her class. In her speech to the graduating Class of 1942, she addressed patriotism and standing together-a message still on point today. After graduation she worked for a local hardware store in Maddock. When an opportunity to take the ND Civil Service test arose, her high score granted her a position at the ND Capitol Building in Bismarck ND.

In March of 1946, Dorothy married Irvin Nelson a few short weeks before he entered the United States Army Infantry Regiment. While he was stationed in Korea, she worked at the Naval Shipyard in the state of Washington, staying with Irvin’s sister Bergliot Patterson and family. After Irvin’s return from Korea, starting in 1951, they made their home at Sully’s Hill National Game Preserve where Irvin worked with the North Dakota Fish and Wildlife Agency and served as a North Dakota Game Warden.

They were the parents of two children, Darryl and Luanne. Dorothy kept vegetable and flower gardens worth envying. Her needlework skills in Hardanger and embroidery were exquisite, winning many blue ribbons at the Ramsy County Fair. She worked as a secretary and office manager at General Adjustment Bureau in Devils Lake, was a member of Rebekah Lodge, and an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

After 66 years of marriage, Irvin passed away and Dorothy moved from Devils Lake, ND to Waconia MN, to be closer to her son. For the local extended family and friends in ND, this was a sad change, but this proved to be a gift to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were able to share more time together, and Dorothy looked forward to taking part in many of their special occasions.

Due to the COVID restrictions, the family was not able to be with her in person during her last days or moments, but she was with a kind caregiver when she passed at New Perspectives Senior Living, her residence on May 4, 2020.

She was survived by her son Darryl Nelson and his wife Nancy of Chaska, MN and her daughter Luanne and her husband Duane Erickson, of Natchez, MS; four grandchildren Nicole (Chris) Rasmussen of Chaska, MN, Brady (Amanda) Nelson of Denver, CO, and Nicholas (Stephanie) Erickson of New Prague, MN, Adam Erickson (Amanda) of Fargo, ND; nine great grandchildren, Christopher, Anna, Lauren, and Catherine Rasmussen, Landon Nelson, Jayden and Maura Erickson, Morgan and Devin Erickson; sister-in-law Dorothy Nelson of Bismarck ND and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Irvin, her parents, sister Mildred and brothers Leslie and Marvin.  

Since Dorothy’s passing, her two grandsons, Brady Nelson and Adam Erickson, have joined her in Heaven.