
Geraldine M. Nelson, age 98, of Annandale died Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Annandale Care Center. A private family funeral will be held at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale with Pastor Alex Becker officiating. Burial will follow at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Geraldine Mae Nelson was born at home in Annandale on Jan. 21, 1924 to Alfred and Elizabeth (McClay) Triplett. She graduated from Annandale High School with the Class of 1941 and continued her schooling at St. Cloud State University in education. During WWII, she contributed to the war effort in California working for the North American Aviation Plant, where they manufactured and repaired airplanes for use in the European and Pacific theater. On Dec. 20, 1943, she was united in marriage to Donald Nelson in Waite Park while Don was on leave from the US Army. Don went to war in Europe and Geraldine remained home where they started their family in Annandale. They were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. In addition to caring for the home, Geraldine taught for 15 years in rural country schools, retiring in 1971. She enjoyed cross country skiing, traveling, reading, and gathering with family. Geraldine is survived by her three children, Joan (Myron) Uecker of Buffalo, Lynne (Robert) Totz of Clearwater, and Gwen Nelson (Douglas Fries) of Maple Lake; eight grandchildren, Sonya Painschab, Cynthia Wald, Brett Hulett, Brian Hulett, Melissa Stevens, Timothy Totz, Todd Totz and Jeffery Uecker; 17 great-grandchildren, Daniel, Bret, Kylee, Kolbe, Alexandra, Brayden, Ben, Elliot, Hannah, Cameron, Travis, Jessica, Emily, Amanda, Josh, Jordan, and Jayden; and eight great-great-grandchildren, Collin, Finley, Ethan, Juniper, Magnus, Atlas, Josephine, and Hayden. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Etta Triplett; husband, Donald Nelson; daughter, Donna Nelson; great-grandson, Justin Berg; and sisters, Dorothy Olean and Beatrice Marohn. Geraldine’s grandchildren will serve as casket bearers. Alison Totz, Jessica Pavlenko, and Pastor Alex Becker will provide the music for the service. The eulogy will be given by Jeff Uecker. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale. The obituary and tribute wall are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.