Carol Nelson

Carol E. Nelson, 81, of Rochester died on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Mayo Clinic St. Marys campus. Carol Nelson (née Lockwood) was born to Charles and Evelyn Lockwood on May 25, 1939 in Frankford Township, near Grand Meadow, Minnesota. As a child, she enjoyed making music, 4H projects, and raising her many farm pets. She graduated from Austin High School in 1957, first attending Concordia College-Moorhead. On Feb 6, 1960, she married Loren Nelson, of Adams, MN at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church. After their wedding, they moved to Italy, where Loren was stationed at a US military base where Carol also taught school. Upon returning in 1963, she completed her BS degree in primary education from the University of Minnesota, and taught elementary school for several years in both Caledonia and then in Rochester. She was an active and devoted mother to her three children, Sonia Ellsworth (née Nelson), Barry Nelson, and Bryce Nelson. Carol was a leader in the American Association of University Women, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Northwest Notables 4H Club, and a women's investment club. She later became a member of Zumbro Lutheran Church. In her later career, she was owner and Director of the Kids Tree House childcare center in Rochester for eleven years. Carol shared her positive attitude, laughter and warm hugs with friends and family, who brought her much joy. Grandmother to nine (Jonathan, Kirstin, Stephanie, Madie, Reece, Keziah, Zane, Brea, and Brooke), she was preceded in death by her father Charles Lockwood, her mother Evelyn Lockwood, her brother Darrel Lockwood, and her daughter, Sonia. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Zumbro Lutheran Church. Carol's service can be streamed live over the internet or viewed later. Go to www.zumbrolutheran.org There you will find a button to click to watch livestream. You can also watch later on YouTube using the same link. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood East Cemetery. Masks are recommended by the church for the services. Memorials for Carol can be directed to the Zumbro Lutheran Memorial Fund or to the American Association of University (AAUW) Fund for Women Student Leaders through a designated donation to AAUW Rochester. Contact the family for more information. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Nelson family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com