Eloise Nelsen

Eloise Mary Nelsen was born on May 15, 1928 to Harold and Lena (Meyer) Whitaker in Holland, MN. At the age of 12, she and her family moved to Balaton, MN for a period of time and then later returned to Holland. Eloise graduated from Pipestone High School in 1946 and was then united in marriage with the love of her life, Carroll W. “C.W.” Nelsen on June 29, 1946 in the St. James Lutheran Church in Holland.

The couple moved to Jasper, MN residing there until 1952. They then moved to Mitchell, SD establishing their home for the next 60 years. In 2012, C.W. and Eloise moved to Sioux Falls, SD to be closer to their daughter, Marsha. She very much enjoyed being able to spend more time with grandkids and great-grandkids. Due to a decline in her health, Eloise transitioned to Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls for a short period, where she passed peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at the age of 91 years, 6 months and 13 days.

Eloise was baptized on June 18, 1928 and confirmed on April 5, 1942 both at the St. James Lutheran Church in Holland. C.W. and Eloise attended the New Hope Messiah Lutheran Church after moving to Sioux Falls. Eloise adored reading and was a caring individual that found joy in helping the elderly. She was very sharp and had a witty humor that entertained everyone of all ages down to her great grand-children. The greatest passions in her life were her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 73 years, C.W. of Sioux Falls, SD; two of her three children: Marsha (Eldine) Sandholm of Hartford, SD and Scott (Monique) Nelsen of Anaheim Hills, CA, and her daughter-in-law, Becky Nelsen of Cle Elum, WA; 9 grandchildren: Brian (Lori), Justin (Aki), Monica (Dan), Josh (Corrie), Jessica (Tom), Hailey (Jeremy), Hunter, Tanner and her grand-daughter-in-law Angela; 16 great-grandchildren: Taryn, D’Andre, Cortney, Carter, Creighton, Michael, Ryan, Isaac, Mara, Nora, Lilly, Tatum, Rylie, Kian, Cope and Baby Williamson arriving in June; one great-great grandchild, Julia, arriving in December; countless other family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her son, Bruce Nelsen; one grandson, Jon Sandholm; one sister, Lorraine Bodack; and her brothers: Charles Whitaker and Harold Whitaker Jr.