A private service will be led by Pastor Shari Schweldhelm of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church on Monday, March 23 in Fremont, Nebraska. Burial will follow at Dalesburg Lutheran Cemetery in rural Vermillion, South Dakota.
Evelyn was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Henry and Mabel (Nelson) Thor on March 22, 1931. The family moved from their North Dakota farm to Lake City, Minnesota in 1938. She attended Lincoln High School in Lake City and graduated in 1949. She was a National Honor Society member and played the clarinet. During high school she began playing piano and organ at her home congregation First Lutheran Church in Lake City. After high school, Evelyn attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. She transferred to the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota and completed her certificate to become a parish worker.
Her life as a parish worker began at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie, Iowa. While at Zion Lutheran, a choir from Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois visited, and she met a seminary student, Benard Nelson.
Evelyn and Ben were married on May 27, 1956, in Lake City, Minnesota.
Evelyn spent her life devoted to Ministry as a true parish colleague with Ben. Together they served congregations in Nebraska at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bristow, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Lincoln, and Grace Lutheran Church in West Point. They continued serving in Iowa at Christ Lutheran Church in Des Moines and Union Creek Lutheran Church & Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron, Iowa. They finished their faithful ministry in Fremont, Nebraska at First Lutheran and St. Timothy's Lutheran churches.
She was a devoted and loving mother of three children. Her other passions and interests in life included volunteering for the Red Cross, Low Income Ministry Store, Boy and Girl Scouts and WELCA (Women of the ELCA). She loved playing piano and organ, and photography.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ben Nelson, infant twin sons, Timothy and Thomas, and grandson Adam Oberbroeckling.
Evelyn is survived by her sister Elizabeth (Dale) Anderson; her children Lowell (Debbie) Nelson, Jim Nelson and Carol (Dan) Oberbroeckling; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and 13 nieces & nephews.
Please direct memorials to St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, 538 W 16th St. Fremont, Nebraska 68025 and Low Income Ministry Center, 549 N. H St. Fremont, NE 68025.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(3)
Dennis and Connie Deutmeyer
Rye, NY Sunday, March 22, 2020 In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2Diane Monson Paseka
, NE Thursday, March 19, 2020 Lowell, Jim and Carol,Please accept my sympathy on the death of your mother. Evie and Ben were fixtures in the lives of the Monson kids. It was such a pleasure to reconnect when they moved to Fremont. I will always remember your mother's kindness and sweetness. And I so appreciate your parents wonderful friendship with my parents. God bless you all. My prayers are with you as you adjust to your loss. May you feel God's comforting arms around you.
Love, Diane
Sheryl Nelson Caudry
Simi Valley, CA Friday, March 13, 2020 My Dear Aunt EvieYou were such an inspiration to me, as your young new Niece, when you married my daddy's brother, Uncle Ben. I was 4 yrs old, and I thought you were a glorious model, just like on the magazines in the stores. You were so lovely, that my sister, Sandra, 6 yrs old, told me that you could put lipstick on without a mirror!! I've never forgot that. You were perfect. I love and adore your children, my cousins- Lowell and Jim and Carol. I remember Grandma Nelson explained to me in 1960 that Lowell's brothers, Tim and Tom became Angels to help us in the future so I will not be able to meet them. I'll be able to see them much later. What a gentle and calming way to tell a young child about Jesus needing these two young twin infants more in heaven than here on earth.
I am sure that it will be a joyous time now that Evie can see Jesus and her sweet twin sons, Timmy and Tommy, and Uncle Ben and all the family.
God bless you, sweet, gentle and precious lady. You were one of the kindest persons, I've ever know.
Your caring and loving niece,
Sheryl Nelson Caudry