Barbara J. Nelson

Barbara Jane Nelson was born in Anoka, MN on October 2, 1952. She was the baby sister to her two brothers. When she was eight years old, her father died in a car accident, and from there on, her grandmother raised her.

Barb had a passion for music, which started when she was a young girl. She learned to play the trumpet and was very involved in the marching band throughout high school.

Barb attended college at the University of Minnesota where she met her first husband, Kevin Nelson. They were married in July of 1973. Early in their marriage, they moved around a few different times, making it as far as Phoenix and then coming back home to Minnesota, where they settled in Brooklyn Park and raised their three girls: Kris, Susan, and Sarah.

Every year, Barb sewed Halloween costumes, Christmas Eve pajamas and Easter dresses for her girls. Each one was intricate and beautiful and often finished late the night before they were needed. She let her girls have all the animals—you name it, and they probably had it. When she was in her early 40’s, she ran her first marathon. As the girls got older, she kick started her career, eventually reaching the role of quality assurance department lead.

After 25 years of marriage, Barb and Kevin parted ways.

Barb was married to Bill Jewett for 13 years until he passed away. During this time, they moved to Alexandria, where she enjoyed the outdoors and the cold winters never stopped her from staying busy. She was involved in curling, wine club, newcomers, birthday club, pickleball, single ladies club and many more throughout the years. Barb loved traveling, especially to warm climates.

She was a woman who loved her family and many friends. She loved God and stayed very involved in her church community. She enjoyed welcoming new people who moved to Alec and helping those in need.

Many of you know she was supposed to graduate with her Masters in Counseling last month.

This was fueled by her constant passion for learning and helping others. Her plan was to take all of her life experiences and education and use it to support young women in crisis.

She will be remembered as a strong, independent woman, with a great niche for decorating and

enjoying all that life had to offer.

Barb will be missed and survived by her daughters and their husbands: Kris & Niall, Susan & Wyatt and Sarah & Luis; her grandchildren Riley & Chelsea; and her brother Tom and his wife Cozette.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024, at The Church in the Pines in Alexandria.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.