Beatrice "Bea" Nelson, 91, passed away May 1, 2024 at her residence in Lafayette, CO with her children at her side. She had one of her last wishes granted when all 5 of her children were together with her over the Easter week.

The only child of Edward and Louise Willard, Bea was born and grew up in Wolverton, MN where she attended a country school. She attended St. Francis Academy in Hankinson, ND, graduating in 1950. After working briefly for Wilkin County, she married her first husband Ray DeBoever, in Kent, MN in 1952. She spent the next 30 years raising their family of 5 children, and excelling in her role as a busy farm wife and mother. She grew a huge garden, canning, freezing and preserving the fruits of her labor. She was an accomplished seamstress, and a remarkable cook and baker. The smell of freshly baked bread and cinnamon rolls frequently greeted her children when arriving home from school. Bea was an efficient, economical, and exacting teacher, as she passed on many of her domestic skills to her children.

In 1978 Bea relocated to Duluth, MN and attended Duluth Business University. Upon graduation from DBU she took a job as a secretary at Miller Dwan Hospital, where she met her second husband, Thomas Nelson. They married in 1982 and enjoyed retirement, traveling, cruising, and even toured the craft-show circuit, selling Bea's hand sewn creations and Tom's stained-glass art. Bea was a dedicated member and volunteer at St. Michael's Parish, and the Benedictine Center, contributing sewn and baked goods and helping with fundraisers. After Tom's death in 1993, she remained in Lakeside for several years, moving into the Crest at Ecumen Lakeshore in 2008, where she enjoyed many friends, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Resident's Council until 2022, when declining health necessitated a move closer to family members.

Bea will be greatly missed, by her 5 children, Renee Grier (Nelson), Brenda Norman (Tom), Keith DeBoever (Kathy), Gregg DeBoever (Luanne), and Patrick DeBoever (Connie); grandchildren, Erin Heaney, Mehgan Heaney-Grier, Levi Jones (Jerry), Zachary Jones (Jess), Sam Norman and Emmy DeBoever; 8 great-grand-children; her many extended family members in Duluth; the LeDoux, Lane and Holiday families, and a myriad of friends.

All are invited to attend her Celebration of Life at the Chapel at Ecumen Lakeshore, 4002 London Rd., Duluth MN, on Wednesday, July 17th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, a donation to her favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Hospital is suggested.