Alice Nelson, 91

Alice Nelson was born on March 4, 1930, to Andrew and Caroline Nielsen in Wakonda, South Dakota. Their family settled in Outlook, Montana, where she attended school and graduated as valedictorian of her class.

Alice was married to Charles “Charlie” Nelson on Sept. 18, 1949, and they lived on the family farm by Dooley, Montana. From this union four children were born, Charlene, Dale, Clayton and Debra. Throughout the years, she worked at several jobs, including the Blue Moon, the sheriff’s office, and (SMH) Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She especially treasured her years working as a CNA (certified nurse’s aide) because she loved “helping people and working with the new babies.” In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, arts and crafts.

Charles retired from farming in 1992 for health reasons, and they began a new home in Kalispell. They joined Eidsvold Lutheran Church and became involved with Bible studies, greeting people, and helping serve cookies and coffee. She always had a special place in her heart for children, and especially enjoyed participating in the Westshore Toys for Kids (our local Christmas Angel Tree Program). After Charles passed away in 2006, she joined the Senior Citizen’s Center where she enjoyed the companionship of many friends. Alice liked to stay busy, and she continued working part time as a CNA through Home Options Home Health and Private Care, as she enjoyed helping people to stay in their own home instead of going into a nursing home. She retired in February 2011 (just a few weeks before she turned 81! )

Alice met Nick Stein in 2010, who became her loving companion and soul mate. Together they were described as “icons” at the Senior Citizen Center where they participated by volunteering their time and energy to many activities over the years, as well as attending aerobic exercises, chair yoga, and bingo. They enjoyed staying “busy” together and continued attending church and community events as well as traveling to visit friends and family.

In January of 2021, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and she passed away in her home on March 22, 2021.

Alice was preceded in death by both her parents and her four brothers, Vernon, Leroy, Robert and Richard.

She is survived by her four children, Charlene Kranitz of Great Falls, Dale Nelson of Great Falls, Clayton Nelson of Pearce, Arizona, and Debra Conaway of Bigfork. She has 10 grandchildren, (Deanna McHenry, Robert Marion, David and Chris Nelson, Devon Rising Sun, Karyn Manor, Lynn Hardy, Lindsey Battle, Kristina Conaway and Sarah Croft), as well as 16 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Her family is planning a memorial service/celebration of life at the Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers with Pastor Andrew Wendle officiating on Wednesday, July 21, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. This service may also be streamed online at www.eidsvoldlutheran.net or through the Eidsvold Lutheran Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests memorial donations to the Eidsvold Children’s Outreach, which provides services to local children in need and encompasses the Westshore Toys for Kids program.