Dolores V. "Dodo" Nelson

Dolores Vernette “Dodo” (Swenson) Nelson, 88, of Rollag, MN, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Viking Manor, Ulen, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, surrounded by her loving family.

Dodo was born on January 1, 1936, to Clarence and Mabel (Larson) Swenson, on the family farm, rural Lake Park and Cormorant, MN. She attended Becker County District #2 and #50 schools and attended and graduated from Lake Park High School. She was united in marriage to Nels Curtis Nelson of Rollag, MN, on June 19, 1954, at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. After Nels’ time in the service, they moved to Rollag, MN, where they raised their family. After a few years of farming, Dodo began working as a clerk at the Rollag Store and then worked as a cook at the Lakes Drive In. She served the Hawley School District for 41 years as a bus driver, starting first as a sub and then working full time. After retiring from driving bus, she filled in as a pharmacy tech at Wahl Drug in Hawley, MN.

Dodo was an active member at Rollag Lutheran Church, participating in the Ladies aid, homemakers, and Mary Circle. She taught Sunday School, was an officer in WELCA, and a lifetime member of WMSTR. She enjoyed reading, doing crafts, dancing, and solving puzzles. She was a very sociable person and loved being around people and was known for her blue van. Above all, she loved being around her friends and family.

Dodo is survived by her children, Sherwood (Sheila) Nelson, Carmen (John) Vlasin, and Brian (Janna) Nelson; grandchildren, Nicholas (Tocarra) Nelson, Jennifer (Brady) Neros, and Andrew (Amy) Nelson, David Vlasin and Stacy (Steve) Palm, and DeForrest (Amber) Nelson, Simon Nelson, and Connor Nelson; great-grandchildren, London and Ireland Nelson, Chelsea and Taya Neros, Sawyer, Samuel, Isaac, Ingrid, Elsie, and Norman Nelson, Nora and Charlotte Palm, and Becker Nelson; great-great grandchildren, Lily, Norah, and Oliver; sister-in-law, Norma Swenson; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Nels; two infant great-grandchildren, parents, Clarence and Mabel; brother Douglas Swenson; sister, Lorraine (Harry) Fuglie; and sister-in-law, Ardell Christensen.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., followed by the prayer service at 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 29, 2024, at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Rollag Lutheran Church, Rollag, MN. Burial will be at Rollag Lutheran Cemetery following the service at the church.