Margaret Ann (Tammeus) Nelson

In Loving Memory

Margaret Ann Tammeus Nelson

Margaret Nelson was born August 23, 1930, on the family farm north of Wilmont, Minnesota in Wilmont Township, Nobles County, Minnesota to John and Annie Yantzi Tammeus.  She was the oldest of six siblings.  Margaret started first grade in September of 1936, in a one-room country school about a half mile north of their farm.  She graduated from the country school in 1944.  For most of her childhood Margaret attended a country church in Pfingsten.  Going to church and Sunday School was very important to Margaret and her family.  Margaret graduated from Fulda High School in 1948.  She then went on and attended St. Olaf College where she studied and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Education.  Upon graduation Margaret taught in Westbrook, Glencoe, and Slayton Minnesota.  Margaret met Charles Nelson on a blind date in September 1958.  Margaret and Charles were united in marriage on July 4, 1959, at Pfingsten Lutheran Church.  One of Margaret and Charles first hurdles was finding a house for the family to live.  The solution was clear when Charles agreed to rental terms with a neighbor living less than a mile from the quarter section of land.  The home was small, they called it their “cracker box.” Charles, Margaret, and Charles Allen were quickly outgrowing this home. The Sagmoen farm site became available in November 1962.  Charles and Margaret purchased the building site and north 40 acres where they raised five children.  This was their home until October 1997 when they moved to a home in Slayton.  They lived there until moving to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton in December 2014.

Margaret taught one year after marriage and then enjoyed working alongside Charles on the farm raising dairy cattle, field crops and gardening.  Her nickname was “Green Thumb”.  Margaret was commissioned as a parish educator in the American Lutheran Church.  Margaret taught Sunday school, weekday classes, confirmation, and vacation bible school for over 50 years.  She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton where she served on several church committees.  She was president of Women of Christ Lutheran Church and served on Women’s Boards of the Shetek Conference and Southwest Synod of the ELCA.  Margaret volunteered with Neighbor to Neighbor and 4-H. Margaret continued her passion for teaching at Sunrise Terrace and led numerous bible study sessions with support from Christ Lutheran Church family until her passing.  Margaret enjoyed spending time with family and friends She was extremely proud of her of her family. Margaret passed away at her home on Friday, December 31, 2024, at the age of 94.    

Survivors include  five children, Charles Allen and Diane Nelson of Zumbrota, MN; Karen and Dean Husfeldt of Hackensack, MN; Lois and Eric Rongstad of Brooklyn Park, MN; Ruth and Travis Fawcett of Webster, SD; and Donald and Mary Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD; nine grandchildren, Jonathon Nelson and Deanna Tollefson, Susan and Isaac Ydstie, Laura Nelson, Matt and Elissa Husfeldt, Nikki and Zac Salfer, Rachel and Kray Person, Megan Nelson, Tyler and McKenzie Fawcett, and Carter Fawcett, eight great-grandchildren, Penny Husfeldt, Maria Ydstie, Leo Ydstie, Ethan Salfer, Dylan Salfer, Joana Nelson-Tollefson, Daniella Nelson-Tollefson, and Theo Nelson-Tollefson, one sibling Marilyn Brink of Sioux Falls, SD and four sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law; Jeaneen Nelson of Slayton, MN, Mayme and Larry Halverson of Marshall, MN, Beverly Gylling of Tyler, MN, and Shirley and Pat Brosseau of Cottage Grove, MN.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Johnny Tammeus, sisters, Dorothy Gustafson, Beverly Heim, Vera Mae Peddycoart and seven brothers-in-law, Donald and Daryl Nelson, Roger Gylling, Ed Heim, Raymond Peddycoart, Mike Gustafson, and John Brink. 

Memorial Services

Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Chad Duffy officiating.  The organist is Nancy Lee Pierson with special music by her great-granddaughter, Maria Ydstie.  Interment is at Slayton Memorial Garden in Slayton, MN. The family requests memorials be given to Shetek Lutheran Ministries, Christ Lutheran Church, or Our House Hospice in Slayton.

Visitation will be 9:30 AM on Saturday, January 4, 2025, service to follow at the church at 10:30 AM.  Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

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