Doris Ann Nelson died peacefully on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019. She was born in New Ulm, MN on August 25th,1922 to Maximilian & Veronica Pfeiffer. She moved to Duluth in 1928, graduated Central H.S. in1941, attended DBU and UMD.
She worked for Zenith Machine in the early 40's & was Jeno Paulucci's first secretary.
She loved her work with the Board of Education Head Start program & being a dance
instructor for Arthur Murray Studios.
Doris was active in the Nettleton, Washington, & Central PTA for 19 years, serving as
president, vice-president, & treasurer. She was proud of her activities with children, winning a
special "Presidential Award" as Chairman of Den Mother's - Pack 45 and was the editor for
"Boys Life Magazine" for the Nettleton school. She attended & taught Sunday School and
was treasurer for the Ladies Circles at St. Matthews Lutheran Church. She attended Messiah
Lutheran Church as a member of their Lydia Circle. She was active in the V.F.W #137
Auxiliary, longtime member of the Duluth Owlettes, 50 year member of the Order of Eastern
Star Chapter 56, the Vocalizer's Club, D.A.V. Auxiliary, and a 32 year member of the Woman's
City Cribbage Club. Over the years, Doris won recipe contests, loved to cook, garden, dance,
play cards, & was an avid reader.
Doris is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lennart Nelson; son, Carl "Butch"
Sundell; granddaughter, Anne Baker; brothers, Dan Pfeiffer & Jim Pfieffer; sister, Margaret
Klosowsky; step-daughter, Barbara Lax; step-son, Robert Nelson; and special niece, Dolly
Cooper.
She is survived by sons, Jerry (Theresa) Sundell & James (Karen) Sundell; daughterin-
law, Peg Sundell; step-daughter, Joyce (Gordy) Rathe; step-son, Leroy Nelson; special
nephews, Dick (Amelia) Klosowsky, Roger (June) Klosowsky, & Bruce (Linda) Klosowsky;
special nieces, "The Pfeiffer Girls"; 18 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Doris's Celebration of Life will be held at Sunrise Funeral Home on Tuesday, October
8, 2019 at 11am, visitation at 10am.
Visitation
OCT
8.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery
4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
Celebration of Life Service
OCT
8.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)
Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery
4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811