Mary Aileen Nelson Spear, always known as “Aileen,” formerly of
Breckenridge
,
MN
and most recently of
Chapelview
Care
Center
,
Hopkins
,
Minnesota
, passed away July 24, 2008 after a life well lived for 94 years.
She is survived by her children: Peter Nelson (Judi) of Minneapolis, John Nelson of
Pittsburgh, Mary Spalding of Anchorage, AK, Margaret Russell of Anchorage AK, and James Nelson (Ellen) of Edina; her grandchildren, Jennifer Nelson (Mike Haber), Carrie Watts, Katherine Nelson (Ryan Kelly), Meghan Spalding, Carl Nelson (Marissa Lobo) and Julia Nelson; and five great grandchildren, Kaylie and Sophia Watts, and Oliver, Jax and Harold Kelly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Margaret (Bollman) McGuire; husband, State Representative Reuben N. Nelson; husband Monroe V. Spear; and several brothers and sisters.
Aileen was born in
Marshall
,
Minnesota
on April 25, 1914, raised in
St. Paul
,
MN
, and lived most of her life in
Breckenridge
,
MN
, where she raised her family.
She moved to
Hopkins
in 1998 to be closer to her family.
Aileen was a devoted member of St. Mary’s of the Presentation Catholic Church in Breckenridge, and a member of Christian Mothers.
She was a skilled bridge player into her 80’s, and loved watching the Twins until the day she died.
She will always be remembered for the love of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and the sly sense of humor that kept us laughing to the end.
The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at St. Therese Southwest Assisted Living and
Chapelview
Care
Center
who provided care, comfort and friendship to Aileen during the last years of her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at the
Church
of
St. Joseph
, 1310 Mainstreet,
Hopkins
,
Minnesota
, with visitation at the church one hour before
Mass.
Interment will be at 4:30 PM on the same day at
St. Joseph
’s
Lutheran
Church
, rural
Rosholt
,
South Dakota
.
Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home of Breckenridge is in charge of local arrangements.
