Lynn Nelson

Lynn Ann Nelson (Ansley), age 69, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, after a long battle with cancer at her favorite place - Ponto Lake in Backus, Minnesota. She was born January 11, 1945, in Fargo North Dakota to Benjamin Roy Ansley and Lyla Ione Eckert. She remembers during her early years that her dad bought the lake place at Ponto and as children the family spent summers here and this has continued to be her "happy place and where she wants to be". Siblings are Bradford Ward Ansley (Escondido, CA) and June Lee Ansley (Goodyear, AZ).

Lynn attended Concordia College in 1962 and later returned to college after her kids were all in school in 1984 to pursue an occupational therapy degree. She married Darryl Rodney Nelson February 8, 1964, in Fargo, North Dakota. They relocated to Minneapolis in 1969 and remained there to raise their 3 children: Steven, Kelly and Heather. Darryl retired in 2005 and they moved to Ponto Lake. In the last several years they split their time between Minnesota and Arizona.
Lynn worked at Abbott Northwestern Sister Kinney Institute for 25 years. She recalls it being her dream job. "I loved interacting with patients and helping them become more independent and to be a positive influence on someone who needs help." Interests included a love of reading, golfing and she remembers a trip to New Zealand/Australia as being a highlight in her life. She also started taking painting classes one night a week in White Bear years ago and that love of painting grew. She has painted commission pieces and has been involved in making cards with her art for the church care ministry team along with the church book cover. She has been involved with her church, Salem Lutheran in Longville, with the caring ministry team and said she enjoyed many friends at the church. She states her greatest achievements are her grandchildren, "a big deal - always enjoyed every minute with them". Three words to sum up her life are "happiness, faith, hope - happiness has been a big part of my life. I have always been one that lived in the day - my dad taught me that. I am solidly grounded in faith. I never felt abandoned. If I was doing poorly God helped my through. No regrets!"

Lynn is preceded in death by her mother, Lyla, father, Ben, and son, Steven. She is survived by husband, Darryl; daughters, Kelly (Jeff) and Heather (Mike); grandchildren: Kristina, Samantha, Jackson, and Luke; sister, June; brother, Brad; and many other family members and dear friends.

She wishes to say thank you to family, friends and the church for many prayers and positive thoughts over the past three years it "helped me tremendously and uplifted me. I will in turn watch over them from the other side". She would like to specifically thank her husband, Darryl, "he was a solid person to lean on, there every minute. He's my hero".

Family would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospice for being such a great service and support in the last few weeks. Kelly and Heather would also like to thank Lynn's sister, June, for all her love, care and support to our parents over the past three years.

A Celebration of Lynn's life was held at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville Minnesota on Saturday October 25, 2014. Honorary Pallbearers: Steven Nelson, Jeff Becker, Mike DesCombaz, Brad Ansley, John Harris, Randy Nelson, Ron Zehren, Al Highum and Ken Heiser.

Lynn wishes for memorials funds to be donated at a project she was involved in - The Salem Lutheran Memorial Wall - to help see this to completion. Please mail memorials to Darryl at Ponto Lake.