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Julia Nelson Obituary

The memorial service for Julia Nelson will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel with Pastor Duane Holst officiating.  Friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service.  Burial following in the First Lutheran columbarium.
    Julia Friske Nelson, 105, of Wabasha, passed away Monday, Sept. 9, at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center in Wabasha.  
    She was born Nov. 1, 1913 in Rockland, La Crosse County, Wis. to Karl William and Wilhelmina (Deichler) Friske.  She grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from high school in 1932 in Sparta, Wis.  
    After high school Julia went on to attend cosmetology school in Chicago. While living in Chicago Julia owned a beauty shop for a few years.    She married Andrew Towey of Rochester in 1944 in Chicago.  Following WWII they moved to Rochester, and later divorced.  In 1956 she married Lester Nelson at the Little Brown Church in Iowa; he passed away in 1977.  While living in Rochester Julia worked at the Zumbro Hotel Beauty Shop for many years.  In 1959 she was employed by the Rochester State Hospital in the beauty shop and occupational therapy, retiring in 1978.  Julia moved to Lake City in 1982, and later she moved to the Jordan Towers in Red Wing, and ultimately to Wabasha.
    Julia loved to spend her time knitting, and enjoyed horticulture. Following retirement she studied horticulture and worked at busy seasons at florists.  She also worked with Lutheran Social Services as a house mother for homes for those with mental disabilities.  She always had a great empathy for those with such a disability. She was a very active member of First Lutheran Church in Lake City, and was also a member of the Valparaiso University Guild.
    Julia is survived by two sons, Edward (Anne) Towey of Lake City and Steven (Josie) Nelson of Wabasha; a step-son, Malen “Buzz” (Gillian) Nelson of Salinas, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lester; and two brothers, Carl and Harold.
    The family would like to thank the staff of St. Elizabeth’s and Heartland Hospice for their care and attention.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Lutheran Social Services and Hiawatha Animal Humane Society.
    Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.

 

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