Loretta Mary Nelsen, 88, of Rose Creek, Minnesota, died Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Cedars of Austin Memory Care.

Loretta was born April 14, 1928, to Edward and Frances Schammel on the family farm outside of Rose Creek. She grew up in Rose Creek where she attended grade school and graduated from Rose Creek High School.

On April 21, 1950, Loretta was united in marriage to Arnold Nelsen. They lived on the family farm northwest of Rose Creek where they raised four sons. They farmed together until Arnold passed away in 1976. She worked as a bookkeeper for Huntting Elevator in Rose Creek for over 30 years. She continued to live on the farm until 2015. Loretta was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Playing cards, going to morning Mass and coffee with her friends were things she enjoyed doing.  She could also be found at the Rose Pedaler having an afternoon ice cream cone now and again.

Survivors include four sons, Dan (Jan) Nelsen, Bruce (Shirley) Nelsen, Craig Nelsen, and David (Pam) Nelsen; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Rosella Brown; and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold; infant son; grandsons, Philip and Jamie; two sisters, Leona and Marie; and a brother, Chuck.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. There will be a 4 p.m. wake service on Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4-7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.  Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Jason Nelsen, Mike Nelsen, Pat Nelsen, Laura Pohl, Holly Westerman, and Travis Nelsen.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.