Joan Nelson

Joan Nelson of Vergas, MN, formerly of Fargo, ND, died October 27, 2012. After her courageous battle with cancer, she died peacefully at home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Joan was born on January 10, 1951 to Mary and Merle Westerfeld. She grew up in Alexandria, MN. She attended Moorhead State University and went on to receive her Masters in Education. Joan was a teacher in the Fargo Public Schools for 34 years. In 2005, she was North Dakota Teacher of the Year.

Joan married Byron Nelson on August 18, 1978. They began their life together in Arthur, ND. After four years, they moved to Fargo, ND. In 2011, they moved into their dream home on Lake Lida that they spent the last four years building together.

She had a wonderful sense of humor, cared deeply about others, and lived life to the fullest. She loved to spend time with her family and friends. On a summer day you would find her fishing, reading, and feeding her birds. In the fall, she would go deer hunting with her husband and friends. Joan looked forward to winter when she would ski, ice fish, and spend time in the kitchen cooking and baking. When spring came around, she began planning her flower garden.

Joan will be dearly missed by her husband, Byron; two children, Barry (Alicia) Nelson of Fargo, ND; Katie (John) Anderson, of White Bear Lake, MN, and four grandchildren. Other surviving family members include her father, Merle Westerfeld, Alexandria, MN; sister, Julie Nelson, Alexandria, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Westerfeld.

Memorials in Joan's name are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley or the Joan Nelson Scholarship Fund through Longfellow Elementary School.

Joan's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm