The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Obituaries

Related Photos

  • Carolyn Nelson.jpg

    Carolyn Nelson.jpg

Guest Book

December 29, 2012

Carolyn (McGonigle) Nelson

—   Carolyn (McGonigle) Nelson, age 96, of Mankato, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2012, at Oaklawn Health Care Center.

  A memorial service will be held at a later date at Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato with a private burial to follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.  Memorial donations may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church or ElderCare Services, Inc.

 Carolyn was born to Clarence Earl and Florence (Puttcamp) McGonigle on February 25, 1916, in Winthrop, MN.  She graduated from Winthrop High School and Parisian Beauty School.  Carolyn was united in marriage to Howard Nelson on November 10, 1945, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.  She moved to Mankato in 1964 from Luverne, MN, with her beloved husband.  She lived her entire life in southern Minnesota and never wanted to leave regardless of the harsh winters.  Carolyn was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church, volunteered at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital into her late 80's, and was an avid bridge player.  She was very happy living in the same house in Mankato from 1964 to 2011, surrounded by a close-knit community of friends and neighbors.

  Carolyn is survived by her two sons, Robert G. (Wendy) Nelson of Prather, CA; and James H. (Adrienne) of North Haven, CT; as well as her grandchildren, Matthew (Kathy) Nelson and Jennifer (Robby) Bowling, both of Fresno, CA, and her great-grandchildren: Morgan Bowling, Tyler, Anthony, Kylie, and Khloe Nelson.  She is also survived by many loving and caring nieces, nephews, and close friends.

 Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard in 1989; two brothers, Fred and Glenn McGonigle; and her sister, Pearl Moench.

  Her sons, Robert and James want to thank the staffs at Primrose Retirement and Oaklawn Health Care Center, as well as ElderCare Services, Inc. for their invaluable help in caring for their mom.  We are all grateful beyond measure for the attention and love given to Carolyn by her friends and neighbors.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Obituaries
  • Ralph Lee Burns

    Ralph Lee Burns of Mankato passed away on Thursday, May 16th, in Springfield, MO, as a result of a heart attack.

    May 20, 2013

  • Paul McCue 052113-O.jpg Paul McCue

     Paul McCue, 77, originally of Delavan, MN, died Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Mapleton Community Home in Mapleton, MN, surrounded by his family.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Nina Schmidt 052013-0.jpg Nina Schmidt

       Nina Lorene Schmidt of North Mankato died peacefully on 5/17/13 as the result of a massive stroke.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Judith Roe 052013-0.jpg Judith 'Judy' Roe

    Judith "Judy" Belle (Martinson) Roe, age 71, of North Mankato, died May 18, 2013, at PathStone Living in Mankato after courageously living with Lewy Body Dementia for several years.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Today's services (05/20/13)

    Today's services for Monday, May 20, 2013.

    May 19, 2013

  • Russell Swenson 052013-0.jpg Rusell Swenson

      The funeral service for Russell August Swenson will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Vista Lutheran Church in New Richland.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Chuck Heil 051813-O.jpg Chuck 'C. Albert' Heil

      Chuck "C. Albert" Heil, 74, of Surprise, AZ, Norway Lake, MN, and formerly of Bloomington and Mankato, MN, passed away on May 13, 2013.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Ervin Freitag 051913-0.jpg Ervin A Freitag

      Ervin A. Freitag, age 83 of Janesville, died Friday, May 17, 2013 at his home.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Robert P. Fritzke

      Robert P. Fritzke, age 93 of Mankato, formerly of St. Clair, died Thursday, May 16 2013 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina.

    May 18, 2013

  • Wayne Eastvold - O.jpg Wayne C. Eastvold

    Wayne C. Eastvold, age 89, of Blue Earth, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at St. Lukes Lutheran Care Center.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo