Barbara A. Nelson

A Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara A. Nelson of Baudette, MN will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 11 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Williams.  Visitation will be on Monday evening from 5-7 PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Baudette.  Interment will be at St. Josephs's Cemetery in the spring.

                Barbara A. Nelson, age 77, of Baudette, MN died on November 21, 2015 at LakeWood Health Center with her family by her side. 

Barbara “Barb” was born on June 17, 1938 in Roseau, MN, the daughter of Arthur and Ester Robberstad.  Barb grew up in the Roosevelt area, and then later moved with her family to Williams, MN.  Barb grew up alongside of her 5 brothers, and enjoyed many different sporting events in which her brothers participated, especially hockey.  After high school, Barb met the love of her life, Leslie Nelson, whom she married and moved to Spokane, WA, where Leslie served in the United States Air Force.  While living in Spokane, Les and Barb were blessed with their first son, Tracy, and two years later, their daughter, Kathy.  After Les was discharged from the Air Force, the family moved to Bemidji, MN, where Les attended college to pursue a degree in teaching.  While living in Bemidji, their son Tom was born.  After college, the family moved to Warroad, MN, where Les had his first teaching job.  One year later, Les was hired by the Baudette School District as a High School Science teacher, where he taught for 31 years before retirement.  Their third son, Terry, was born in Baudette.  During this time, Barb was a wonderful home maker and mother.  After the kids grew, Barb worked at Arnold’s Department Store in Baudette for several years.  She enjoyed Ladies Day at Oak Harbor Golf course, where she was a talented golfer and won several ladies tournaments.  Barb was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baudette, where she was an active member of the Ladies Aid.  She also loved camping and playing games with the grandchildren.

                In 1975, the family moved from Baudette to Williams to live on the family farm, which they turned into a wonderful gathering place for the kid’s and the grandkids to come and hunt and enjoy the open space.  While living in Williams, Barb worked at the school in the Hot Lunch Department, and was later hired at the Williams Post Office.  Barb sorted and delivered the mail until she was hired as Postmaster in 1987.  She served as Post master for ten years.  Barb was a member of Relay for Life and also served on the Ladies Aid for St. Joseph’s Church in Williams.  Les and barb enjoyed spending time in Casa Grande, AZ for a few months each winter, where they had a small home.  Les and Barb recently moved back to Baudette in order to be closer to family.

               Barb is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Les, her sons, Tracy, Tom (Shelly), and Terry (Janice), all of Baudette, and her daughter Kathy (Jim) LeClaire of Bemidji, 7 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild, 1 great-grandson, and 2 step-great grandchildren, siblings Gerald (Patricia) Roberstad, Wayne (Lora) Robberstad, Larry (Pat) Robberstad, Rev. Jim (Carol) Robberstad and Ted Robberstad, and several nieces and nephews.

                Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Ester Robberstad, an infant brother, much loved sister-in-laws, a brother-in-law, two nephews, and parents-in-law, Marvin and Catherine Nelson.

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