Mildred S. Nelson

Mildred S. Nelson, 93, Bismarck, died November 7, 2011. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, November 12, at Legacy United Methodist Church, 924 North 11th St, Bismarck, with Rev. Kermit Culver officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm Friday, November 11, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Mildred was born August 9, 1918, in Gary, MN, the eldest of five children born to Alfred S. and Clara Nelson Rude. As a 6 year old she was sent to North Dakota to live with an aunt and uncle in order to attend school for one year. When she was nine-years-old, her father moved the family to Grand Forks, ND. As a 10 year old she worked as a ?domestic? cleaning for a wealthy family in Grand Forks who were very good to her. In this way she contributed to the family income. She attended schools in Grand Forks and Hillcrest Academy in Fergus Falls, MN, and graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks in 1938. Mildred graduated from Capitol Commercial College in Grand Forks in 1941. She then went to work for the county health officer as a receptionist and later worked as a bookkeeper. In 1948, she moved to Bismarck to become a parish worker for the then Evangelical United Brethren Church and Chaplain?s assistant with the Bismarck Hospital, which had been established by this church. In 1949, she married Howard L. Nelson whom she met in the church choir. They established their home in Bismarck. In 1951 their daughter, Joan was born. Nine weeks after this, she was stricken with Gillian Berre´ and was paralyzed. She did, through prayer, recover from this affliction and many dear friends and family cared for her and her family during this time. In 1955 she gave birth to twin daughters, Jean and Jann. Sadly, they both died shortly after delivery. Through these childhood and early adult hardships?she never complained, but praised the Lord and through it all she learned to trust in God more and more. Mildred worked for various state departments and the last 13 years of her career were with the North Dakota State Library. She retired in 1980. Mildred was most content when doing the Lord?s work. She was very active in Christian Women?s Club, the United Methodist Women, and directed the children?s choir at her church for 18 years. She enjoyed visiting friends and shut-ins often filling her car with ladies to hit the area lutefisk suppers. Her greatest joy during her retirement years was following her grandsons and their families. Most who knew her would tell you of her daily commitment to a personal devotional time and many of us were recipients of her prayers. Mildred is survived by her daughter, Joan Jeff Auch, Bismarck; two grandsons: Eric Sandy Destin, FL, and Tanner Amy Lincoln, NE; great granddaughters: Aurora and Rhea; Destin, FL; her sister, Evelyn Bufford, SC; her brother, Ervin Katherine Rude, WA; one sister-in-law, Vivian Rude, Grand Forks. Also, very special friends Frank and Inez Orthmeyer, and Dave and Joyce Baker. She was preceded in death by twin daughters; her husband, Howard, her brother Earl and her sister, Amy Rude. Memorials may be given to Legacy United Methodist Church Missions or the Anne Carlson School.

Mildred S. Nelson

August 9, 1918 - November 7, 2011