JACQUELINE ANN NELSON

Jacqueline Ann Nelson, 52 of St. Michael, ND passed peacefully from this life early Monday morning, October 15, 2012 at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Anthony Hession celebrating the Mass. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Michael, ND. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and at St. Michael’s Catholic Church from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Jackie’s brothers Allan Nelson and Kevin Nelson and brothers-in-law Terry Belgarde, Randy Severinson, Jim Langley, Kelvin Mack, Jay Hartl and David Brown will serve as Casket Bearers. Honorary Bearers will be Jackie’s nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and also her special caregivers: Kody Ayers, Alyssa Tofsrud, and Heidi Kraft. Reading the Scriptures will be Karla Mack and Janet Nelson. Her godchildren Dane Severinson, Wyatt Mack, Taylor Langley, and Cody Nelson will present the Eucharistic Gifts. Jacqueline Ann was born on March 17, 1960 at Devils Lake, ND, the oldest daughter of Duane and Bernadine (Frederick) Nelson. She grew up in the St. Michael area and attended Devils Lake Public Schools, graduating from Central High School with the class of 1978. Jackie then worked for the Devils Lake Public Schools for 32 years as a paraprofessional where she accepted the opportunity to love, understand, and appreciate others regardless of their capabilities or behavior. She encouraged them to believe in themselves – to realize their full academic and social potential. Above all, she served as an inspiration for those students, showing them that indeed, all things are possible. Jackie retired in the fall of 2011 from a job she truly enjoyed. In addition to her work, Jackie enjoyed traveling to various destinations throughout the United States and abroad. She also loved spending time with her family, especially time with nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart. Jackie confronted every day with determination, courage, and grace. She strived for independence and never gave up hope. Jackie was very thankful and felt truly blessed to have such a loving family and cherished friends she could always count on. Jackie’s gentle spirit, sincere kindness and generosity, and unselfish charity inspired those she touched. She will truly be missed by everyone with whom she shared her life. Jackie is survived by her father and mother, Duane “Ted” and Bernadine Nelson of St. Michael. Siblings and their spouses; Joan and Terry Belgarde of St. Michael, Gail and Randy Severinson of Grand Forks, ND, Allan and Marla Nelson of St. Michael, Mary and Jim Langley of Warwick, ND, Karla and Kelvin Mack of Page, ND, Kristi and Jay Hartl of Devils Lake, Kim and David Brown of St. Michael, and Kevin and Janet Nelson of East Grand Forks, MN; nine nieces and thirteen nephews and three great nieces and two great nephews and several aunts and uncles. Jackie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ragner and Frieda Nelson and Edwin and Martha Frederick; brother, Larry Allan Nelson; nephew, Dean Nelson; and niece, Grayson Brown.