Marian Nelson

Marian Marlys Nelson, age 91, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Wheaton.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Dan Gifford officiating. Organist will be Sara Lee Rinke with special music by the St. John Lutheran Church Choir.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 18th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Friday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Michael Kastner, Jay Kaufman, Dwight Nelson, Curtis Nelson, Andrew “AJ” Sansone and Hayley Sansone.

Marian Marlys Dalin was born May 5, 1931 in Hankinson, North Dakota, the daughter of William "Bill" Gothard and Mathilda "Tillie" Theresa (Meyer) Dalin.  Marian (Marlys) was baptized at Walla Lutheran Church in New Effington, South Dakota.  She was confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio, Minnesota.  The family lived in Victor, SD, New Effington, SD, Morris, MN, and Chokio, MN, moving due to her father's profession as an elevator manager and grain buyer.  Marian graduated from Chokio High School in 1949.  She continued her education at Moorhead State Teachers College graduating with an Associates Degree in Education in 1951.  She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Education, graduating from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1966.

Marian taught in several school systems including Glenwood, MN and Wheaton, MN.  At Pearson Elementary School in Wheaton, MN, she taught first grade, was the librarian, and worked as a substitute teacher.  In 1989, Marian became the director of the Wheaton Public Library in Wheaton, MN.  During her time there, she guided the library through the construction of a new facility and into a new era where internet access, DVD's, and e-books became available.  Marian loved to read, often finishing one or more books a night before putting them into circulation.  She retired in 2011 at the age of 80 after serving as director for 22 years.

Marian was always very involved in her church.  She started performing at a very young age by singing and playing the organ at Walla Lutheran Church in New Effington, SD.  She was the organist at St. John's Lutheran Church in Dumont, MN.  She sang in and was the choir director at St. John Lutheran Church, Wheaton, MN, where she directed the choir during the church's centennial celebration.  Marian loved music, attending dances at the White Eagle Ballroom in New Effington, SD, singing, and playing many different instruments (piano, organ, violin, accordion, etc.).  She even learned to play the tuba when her high school band was in need.  Marian taught civil defense classes through the University of Minnesota Morris.  Marian was also a member of the Merton-Dale Post 80 American Legion Auxiliary for 68 years, holding various offices and attending numerous conferences.

Marian was married to Reinhard (Reinie) Moerer on March 14, 1953 in Rochester, MN.  They lived on a farm southeast of Dumont, MN  in Dollymount Township.  To this union a daughter, Brenda Lee, and a son, Kim Randall, were born.  After a divorce, Marian and the children moved to Wheaton, MN.  On June 24, 1967, Marian married Kenneth (Kenny) Nelson at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton, MN.  To this union a daughter, Jean Christina, was born.  Kenny and Marian loved to get together with family, spend time at the cabin on Lake Traverse, and travel, especially with Kenny's position on the corporate board of directors of Midland Cooperatives and Land O Lakes.  Marian got to travel to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria as a chaperone with Jean's high school German class. Many more trips followed, including watching her grandchildren’s dance recitals, baseball games, and drum corp competitions. She also loved going to music and theatre productions, especially being able to see her son perform on Broadway in New York City.

Marian is survived by three children:  Brenda (Ronald) Kastner of Burlington, Iowa; Kim (Deanna) Moerer of West Union, South Carolina; and Jean Nelson of Fargo, North Dakota; two grandchildren:  Ami (Michael) Sansone of Heiligenmoschel, Germany and Lexington, South Carolina; and Michael (Hilary) Kastner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa;  five great-grandchildren:  Hayley Sansone, Andrew (AJ) Sansone, Max Kastner, Luke Kastner, and Jake Kastner; sister-in-law:  Ruth (Bill) Nelson-Setzer; cousins: Janet Faye Stover, and Verona Dalin; and nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents: William and Mathilda Dalin; husband Kenneth Nelson; cousins:  E. Gary Dalin, Janice Kay Kaufman, and Caroline Dalin; brothers-in-law:  David Nelson and Lester Nelson; and beloved aunts and uncles.