Memorial Visitation for Mary Nelson, age 84, of Spencer will be from 5-7 pm Friday, December 8, 2023 at Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer. A private burial will be on a different day in the Bristow Cemetery. Mary passed away at her home in Spencer on Monday, December 4, 2023. Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer.

Mary Eleanor Dahlberg was born on December 7, 1938 in Lynch, Nebraska to Elmer and Vendella (Johnson) Dahlberg. She attended Lynch Public Schools through the Eighth Grade when her family moved to Spencer. She graduated from Spencer High School in 1957 as her class Valedictorian. Mary then attended Wayne Normal School and received her Teaching Certificate. She then returned to Boyd County and taught country school for two years.

Mary married her High School Sweetheart, Curtis Nelson on December 26, 1959 at the Spencer United Methodist Church. To this union, three children were born: Janet, Alice, and Roger. They made their home west of Bristow on the Nelson family farm. She always enjoyed bringing lunches out to the hay crew and seeing how things were going. The couple moved into Spencer in 2008.

Mary devoted her life to creating a loving home for her family. Among the many things she did was make countless elaborate doll clothes for many Barbie dolls and custom Birthday cakes - tractors and trains for Roger and horses for Janet and Alice. Mary always cared about and for other people. She helped at many events for the town and the church. She sewed many quilts for the Orphan Grain Train. She also enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. She was a member of the Spencer United Methodist Church, U.M.W. and the Eastern Star.

Mary is survived by her husband of 63 years, Curtis Nelson of Spencer; her three children, Janet (Steve) Classen of Spencer, Alice (Bernard Finney) of The Villages, Florida, Roger (Kim) Nelson of Spencer; four grandchildren, Leslie (Grant) Neilsen, Andrew (Becky) Classen, Jackson Nelson, Emersyn Nelson; five great grandchildren, Brooklyn Eckert, Gracen Eckert, Landryn Neilsen, Logan Classen, and Adyson Classen; Curtis' sister, Anita Saldeen of Florida; several nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; an infant child; three brothers, Vernon (Peggy) Dahlberg, Raymond Dahlberg, and Albert (Hylen) Dahlberg.