Mona L. Nelson

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Mona Lou Nelson, age 80 of Dell Rapids passed away on June 6, 2018 in Sioux Falls, SD after a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 1:30 pm at The Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. There will be a visitation at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids on Saturday, June 9 ^th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mona Lou Gunderson was born on February 5, 1938 in Sioux Falls, SD to Gladys and Clarence Gunderson. Mona lived with her aunt and uncle Carl and Irene Nielson from the age of thirteen months until she was twenty-one. She was adopted by Carl and Irene and always considered them her parents. Mona grew up near Buffalo Trading Post and graduated from Franklin High School in 1956. She attended General Beadle State College (Dakota State University) where she received her teaching degree.  Mona was married to Donald Nelson in 1959. They moved to Salem, SD where she taught first grade and kindergarten for many years. Later Don and Mona moved to Arlington, SD where she continued her teaching career. Including earlier teaching positions in Sioux Falls and Montrose, Mona taught for thirty-three years and touched the lives of many during her career. Following her retirement from teaching, Mona and Don moved to Dell Rapids where she lived until the present time.

Mona was an avid reader, card player, gardener, and was the family historian. She compiled and wrote the genealogy of many branches of her family. She was also an avid golfer. She and Don spent many hours together with friends and family on the golf course.  Many of those hours golfing was spent on courses in South Texas where she and Don wintered for many years. Mona was known for her quick wit and as a wonderful cook and hostess. She loved to have family and friends over for a meal or a social gathering.

In addition to her husband of fifty-nine years, Mona leaves behind two sons: Kevin (Dyan) of Beresford, SD, Steve (Mary Jo) of Sioux Falls, SD, Marlon Young, New York, NY; grandchildren Ashley (Derek) Bahrenfuss of Hartford, SD, Eric Nelson of Torrington, Wyoming, Bailey Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Sam and Sydney Nelson of Beresford, SD, step-grandchild Austin (Megan) Klueber and great-grandchild Teagyn Bahrenfuss.  She is also survived by Milo (Sandy) Gunderson of Renner, SD, Layne (Sharon) Gunderson of Sioux Falls, SD, Bob (Sheila) Gunderson of Sioux Falls, SD, Audrey Beitelspacher of Hoven, SD, Ed Hanisch of Sioux Falls and Darrell (Becky) Nielson of Springfield, MN.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at both Avera McKennan Hospital and Good Samaritan Luther Manor for the wonderful care provided to Mona. Cancer is horrible, but both Avera and Luther Manor handled Mona with both grace and compassion and allowed her to leave us with great dignity. We are forever thankful for that.

In lieu of flowers the family would encourage you to donate to the charity of your choice.