Pearl C. Nelson

 Pearl Crystal (Hink) Nelson age 96, of Maple Grove, formerly of Parkers Prairie, died at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins on July 24, 2024. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Kirk Lee officiating. Music is provided by organist, Maureen Diedrich and vocalist, Rev. Ben Dyrhaug. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. 

 Pearl was born June 22, 1928, to Peter and Paula (Proehl) Hink in Effington Township. She was baptized on July 13, 1928, and confirmed on June 7, 1942, at St. James Lutheran Church in Effington Township. Pearl was united in marriage to Myles Nelson on October 10, 1946, at St. James Lutheran Church. They lived on the Nelson family farm (3rd generation farm) in Parkers Prairie for 47 years. Pearl returned to nursing school in 1975, to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a nurse. She worked at Douglas County Hospital until retiring in July 1992, the last seven years working in the emergency department. In 1990, she had the honor of being appointed by Governor Arnie Carlson to an office on the Minnesota State Board of Nursing in St. Paul for four years, where she served as Vice President for two years and as President for one year. Pearl and Myles moved to town in Parkers Prairie in 1993. 

 Pearl enjoyed serving on the Parkers Prairie Cemetery Board. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday School, being a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church Council, and serving on the committee for their 125th anniversary. Pearl and her husband of 56 years, Myles, enjoyed many travels including Hawaii, Caribbean Cruise, Las Vegas, Arizona, Canada and many trips around Lake Superior and the north country with their dear friends Carold and Lucille Hilgren. They also enjoyed ten winters in Panama City Florida with their grandson, Terry Walters. Her husband, Myles died in 2002, but Pearl continued spending three more winters in Florida. In 2004, she sold her home and moved to Maple Grove to be closer to some of her children and took over the flower gardens at her apartment complex. Many residents told her how much they enjoyed having tea or drinks on the patio overlooking the beauty of the gardens. She enjoyed making new friends, but never forgot her long-time friends in Parkers Prairie. Pearl loved spending time with her family and friends. Her interests were fishing, dancing, walking, eating out, going to the casino (even if not winning big), Bailey’s Irish Crème, and her flowers.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Myles; son Terry Nelson in 2004; son David Nelson in 2009; daughter-in-law Martha Nelson in 2010; grandson, Christopher Beyer in 2021; brothers, Orville and Marvin Hink; sisters-in-law; parents; grandparents; and many cousins. 

 Pearl is survived by her twins, Bob (Jan) Nelson of Bismarck, North Dakota and Rosemary (Dean) Johnson of Cold Spring; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, MaVonne and Michelle; and many nieces and nephews. 

 Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Zachary Nelson, Matthew Nelson, Ethan Nelson, Jesse Nelson, Kyle Johnson, Brian Simpson, Adam Hendrickson, Andy LeCleir, and James Orewiler