Obituaries: Jacqueline (Townsend) Nelson

Jacqueline “Jackie” Faith (Townsend) Nelson passed away Oct. 11, 2019.

She was born May 14, 1934, in Duluth to Marion and Vern Townsend. She grew up in Minneapolis, where she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1952, and the University of Minnesota in 1955 with a bachelor of science in elementary education. Jackie was united in marriage to Gordon Nelson on Aug. 18, 1956. She taught in Falcon Heights and Cloquet.

Jackie was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she served on many committees. She was a member of the Library Reading Club and served on the Little Pine Nursery and Habitat for Humanity boards, with AFS Intercultural Programs, and as a Girl Scout leader. Jackie enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; gardening, playing bridge, going to plays and concerts, and working at Casa Hogar, a children’s home in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; stepparents; husband, Gordon Nelson; brother, Mike Townsend; and brothers-in-law Tom Muff, Ronald Mooers and Rodney Nelson.

She is survived by her children Beth Nelson, Paul (Sue) Nelson and Jennifer Nelson; grandchildren Dustin (Stacy) Nelson, Ashley (Tyler) Rhoads, and Nicole and Tanner Nelson; great-grandchildren Rosalie Rhoads and Kailey Nelson; half-sister, Shelia (Mike) Stevens; half-brother, Richard (Nancy) Townsend; stepsisters Barbara Mooers and Nancy Muff; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the11 a.m. memorial service Saturday, Nov. 9 at Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet, followed by a luncheon in the social hall. Arrangements are with Nelson Funeral Care. To leave an online condolence, visit the guest book at http://www.nelson

funeralcare.net

Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church Organ Fund or Mission Fund; Doctors Without Borders; or cancer research.

Printed in the Pine Knot News, Oct. 25, 2019.