Barbara June Hovey-Nelson, 47

Published 4:36 pm Saturday, May 4, 2013

Barbara J. Nelson, 47, of Austin, Minn., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

Barbara Nelson

Barb was born March 5, 1966. She grew up in Austin, Minn., and moved to Maple Plain, Minn., where she married Jeff Nelson. For 20 loving years, they raised three beautiful children, and shared many special times. Most recently, Barb was proud to be a spokesperson for Paint the Town Pink. Barb will be fondly remembered for her love of fishing, a good iced mocha, playing BINGO and watching the Austin Bruins.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Zachary (Lindsay) Christenson, Maple Plain, Chelsea Nelson, Mound, Minn., and Ashley Nelson, Maple Plain; grandchildren, Aiden and Gavin Christenson; mother, June Hovey, Austin; father, George (Pam) Hovey, Rochester, Minn.; brothers, Bob (Martina) Hovey, Champlin, Minn., Barry (Cindy) Hovey, Austin, Bill Hovey, Austin, Brett Hovey, Eau Claire, Wis.; step-brothers, Chris (Crescent) Isham, Rochester, Chad (Katie) Jabary, Rochester; sisters, Brenda (Steve) Thein, Austin, Becky (John) Sheehan, Shakopee, Minn.; step-sister, Heidi Jabary, Rochester; many nieces and nephews; and special friend Brad Matthews.

Her husband, Jeffrey Nelson, along with several grandparents, Adeline and John Hudechek, Ann and Reuben Barth, and Sophia and George Smith, preceded Barb in death.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, 209 Second Ave. NW, Austin, with the Rev. Jeffrey Forbes officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. A private burial will take place at a later date.