Worthington, MN
Sandy Kay Nelson was born on February 15, 1959, in Worthington, MN, the daughter of Peter and Lorraine (Grubaugh) Veen. She was baptized and confirmed into Westminster Presbyterian Church. During high school, she worked at Fauskee Nursing Home. She graduated from Worthington High School. Sandy was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Jeff Nelson on November 6, 1978. They were blessed with three children, Travis, Matt, and Amanda. Sandy worked at the school district as a teacher’s aide for over 25 years and also part time at Shopko. She had a strong faith as a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder and a member of the Christian Education committee. Sandy also taught many years of Sunday school and volunteered at the Manna Food Pantry.
Sandy took great pride in her family and always taught them right from wrong and how to respect others. She enjoyed attending her grandkids’ school events. Sandy cared for everyone as if they were her own and made sure everyone else was taken care of before herself. She made sure to let her grandkids know that she “loved them to the moon and back”. Sandy enjoyed taking boat rides at sunset and driving around looking at Christmas lights. She also liked to go shopping either in the stores or on the QVC channel always trying to get the best deal. She loved Diet Dr. Pepper and Baked Lay’s Potato Chips. Sandy was a very strong person who fought through multiple health issues always having a positive attitude and never questioning her faith. She may have had a weak heart but she had the biggest heart. Sandy passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2015, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 56.
Sandy is survived by her husband, Jeff Nelson of Worthington, MN; two sons, Travis Nelson (fiancée Heather) of Marshall, MN and Matt (Cassie) Nelson of Worthington; six grandchildren, Dillon and Dalton Nelson, Jeffrey and Nevaeh Becker, and Brennon and Damion Nelson; sister, Sharon (Vern) Lidgett of Tillamook, OR; brother, Virgil (Nancy) Veen of Worthington; mother-in-law, Marcia Nelson of Windom, MN, and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Lorraine Veen; daughter, Amanda Becker; infant granddaughter, Josie Becker; daughter-in-law, Christianna Alm; brother-in-law, Nick Nelson, and father-in-law, Duane Nelson.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington, MN, with Rev. Galen Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Worthington Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, MN and also from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
