Margaret Ruth Nelson

Margaret Ruth Brooks was born on September 28, 1925 in Savannah, Georgia to Guy Richard Brooks Sr. and Bessie Winora (Johnson) Brooks. She grew up and attended schools in the Savannah, Georgia area and graduated from Frazee High School. As a young girl, Margaret moved with her family to Audubon, Minnesota in 1935 and later in 1942 the family moved to a farm 10 miles east of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She received a degree in Home Economics from the University of Minnesota and while there she played clarinet in the U of M band. Margaret was married to Edward Lee; September 7, 1947 and the couple made their home in central Minnesota Most of her work life was spent as a meat wrapper and a member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union. In the mid-1960’s, Margaret met Caleb Nelson through a cousin of Caleb’s who would return to Harris with Margaret on weekends. She married Caleb Nelson in 1972 and moved to Harris, MN where she would live the rest of her life. They had many years together enjoying country living, the farm and grandchildren. Margaret was an active member of Fish Lake Lutheran Church and served as Sunday school superintendent, a member of the church council and Women of the ELCA. She was very active in promoting the religious education of her children and grandchildren. She always made sure that they attended Sunday school and performed in the church programs. Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Margaret passed away at the age of 85; surrounded by her family at the Fairview-Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN. Margaret was a very loving and caring person and always willing to help others. She loved people unconditionally. She was one of the first to volunteer her talents when something needed to be done at church. She will be greatly missed by her children: Robert (Dr Lori) Lee of Medford, Wisconsin; David Lee of Minneapolis; Margaret “Peggy” Batten of St. Cloud, MN; Barbara Lee of Harris, MN; Sisters: Marion Noreen of Germantown, Wisconsin;Mary Weeden of Fox Lake, Illinois; Brother: Guy R. (Val) Brooks; grandchildren: Dhanrajia (Rajia) Brooks, Justin Lee, William “Billy” Lee, Robert “Bobby” Lee, Bessie, James,& April Batten, great grandchildren: Adam, Jake Lee; William, Amanda Adkins; Jordan-Cai, Cyrenna-Jayde, Sapheria-Joy Brooks and many nieces and nephews. Rev. Walter Leitze officiated at funeral services; 2:30 p.m. Saturday (2/26/2011) at the Olson Chapel in Rush City. Music was provided by LaDonna and Jennifer Olson. Honorary casket bearer was William “Billy” Lee and the active casket bearers included Justin Lee, Robert “Bobby” Lee, James Batten, Dale Noreen, Slade Noreen and Carl Simmons with the interment in the Fish Lake Lutheran Cemetery at Stark, MN. Memorials preferred to: Lutheran Braille Evangelical ~ 1740 Eugene St. ~ White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Disabled Veterans ~ 20 West 12th Street ~ St Paul, MN 55115 Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service~Olson Chapel of Rush City, MN. www.funeralandcremationservice.com