Agnes Nelson Obituary

Agnes "Aggie" Nelson, 100, of Clinton, MN, passed away at her home with her loved ones by her side on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Private services were held on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MN. Burial was held at Clinton City Cemetery. 

Agnes “Aggie” Sylvia Nelson was born at home on July 21, 1924, in Pope County, MN, near Swift Falls. She was the daughter of Sigvard and Anna (Aarshiem) Simonson. Aggie graduated from eighth grade from District 13 Country School in Correll, MN. She then attended Graceville High School, and later, attended vocational school at Granite Falls, MN.

Aggie worked several different jobs including working as a waitress and cook for several years, as a secretary at Finger-Hut in Alexandria, MN, Ortonville Municipal Hospital in Ortonville, MN, and Kurt Manufacturing in Fridley, MN.

On October 30, 1970, Aggie was united in marriage with Harold Nelson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MN. Together they made their home in Clinton and were blessed with 54 years of marriage.

Aggie was an avid seamstress, quilter, and embroiderer, making many quilts and pillow cases for her children. Her grandchildren knew her as the “Cookie Grandma”; her cookie jar was always full.

Harold and Aggie loved traveling. They were able to visit Norway three times to meet her mother’s relatives. She considered these journeys to be “trips of a lifetime”. They also visited New England states, the Black Hills in South Dakota, Montana, and Colorado, Yellowstone National Park where they saw Old Faithful, New York’s Ellis Island, and the Canadian Rockies. However, her favorite excuse to travel was to visit and babysit her grandchildren, Justin and Joshua; Aggie cherished her memories with the boys and held a special place for them in her heart.

Aggie is survived by her husband, Harold Nelson of Clinton, MN; children: Karen Kay Christenson of Sturgeon Bay, WI; Maury (Janet Fish) McAlister of Waubay, SD; Judy Wohlers of Apple Valley, MN; Sherry Johnson of St. Cloud, MN; Debra Murphy of Blaine, MN; Maureen (Tim Dwenger) McAlister of Blaine, MN; Alan (Brenda) McAlister of Clinton, MN; 24 grandchildren: Rick Nagamitsu, Nancy Page, Matthew McAlister, Stacy Peterson, Jodell Stark, Jill McAlister, Julie Wyatt, Shannon Bettencourt, Joe Barry, Chad Wohlers, Jody Winters, Kara Decker, Amanda Lee, Brian Hanke, Jamie Hanke, Josh Hanke, Lonnie Murphy, Heidi Murphy, Tim Hlavinka, Kate Gratton, Breeanna McAlister, Tyler Dwenger, Justin McAlister, Josh McAlister; 38 great-grandchildren; niece and Godchild, Ann Westermeyer, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, DeAnn Nagamitsu; son, John Paul McAlister; sisters: Gina Jorgenson, Irene Peers, Hazel Lang, Shirley Leuthard; brothers: Alfred Simonson and Stanley Simonson; sons-in-law: Tom Nagamitsu, Daniel Wohlers, and Edward Hanke; granddaughter, Jennifer Mertes; grandson, Jason Christenson; and many loving relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.