Obituary of Mavis Lorraine Nelson

Mavis Lorraine Nelson, 83, longtime Cloquet resident, died peacefully on Thursday, July 22, 2004 at Mercy Health Care Center in Moose Lake. She was born February 11, 1921 in Duluth to Garwood and Martha (Sarkela) Burkett. She grew up in Thomson and graduated from Esko High School in 1940. Mavis trained as a beautician prior to finding her true calling as a devoted wife and mother of six children. Mavis married Walter Nelson on March 3, 1946 in Moose Lake. She had many friends, and brought joy to many with her humor and kindness. She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Walter; infant son, John; her parents; step-father, John Esko; one infant granddaughter, Cheryl Marie Nelson; and other extended family members. Mavis is survived by her five children, Judy (Paul) Frankki of Stetsonville, WI, James (Linda) Nelson of Cloquet, Jan (Todd) Lodico of Andover, MN, Charlene Haugen of Superior, and Robert Nelson of Cloquet; seven grandchildren; and six great grandchildren; an uncle Walter (Jennie) Sarkela of El Cerrito, California; and her half brother, Chuck (Donna) Burkett of Blaine. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mavis' caregivers at Mercy Health Care Center for their personal and loving care. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2004 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street in Cloquet. Visitation will continue from 10 until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service Monday, July 26, 2004 in Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet.