Mary Alice Nelson, 88

A celebration of life service for Mary Alice (Kennedy) Nelson, 88, of Isabella, was held March 29, 2025, at Mammoth Assembly of God Church. Internment will occur later at Holmesville Cemetery, near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. 

She died peacefully on March 26, with her family around her. Mary was born in the Park Falls area of Wisconsin on May 5, 1936. She was raised in Park Falls and graduated from Park Falls High School in 1953. She went to North Central Bible Institute (now University), in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1953-1956, graduating with a Religious Education Major in 1956. Mary met Dennis Earl Nelson of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, while at North Central in 1952, and they were married on July 4, 1959. Dennis and Mary lived in St. Paul and Taylors Falls, Minnesota, and St. Croix Falls, Centuria, and Grantsburg, Wisconsin, Little Canada, Minnesota, Isabella and Springfield, Missouri.

Music was a big part of Mary’s life. She began playing piano at church in her teen years. She began playing marimba at North Central and was part of a marimba trio. She purchased a marimba which became a special part of her life. She played in the churches they attended and specials when called upon. She introduced her children to music, and each took piano lessons and played band instruments. She taught piano and music lessons to hundreds of students over the years. She will be remembered for love her for music, ministering in churches, and for teaching students.

Mary was predeceased by her daughter, Sherrie Lynn Nelson; parents, John Byron Kennedy and Ersie Ethel (Teeters) Kennedy; her siblings: Elizabeth Kennedy (husbands Ralph Blomberg and Ray Saylor), John (Arlene) Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, and Tom (Shirley) Kennedy. 

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dennis Nelson; her children: Kathleen Renee (James) West, Jeffery Mark (Janelle) Nelson, Steven Blake Nelson and Karen Sue (Mike) Dujardin; her grandchildren: Karissa, Jessica, Kristianna, and Justin West, Jonathan (Brittney) Nelson, Joelle (Daniel) Van Otterloo, Jenni Nelson, and Josh Nelson; her great-grandchildren: Jedidiah, Ruth, and Azariah Nelson, Hudson, Hope, Lucas and Lucille Van Otterloo; one sister-in-law, Norma Kennedy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.