Susan J. Nelson

Susan J. Nelson, 77, of Moorhead, MN passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in her home.

Susan Jane Nelson was born January 17th, 1946, in Bismarck, ND, and passed away on October 11th 2023, in Moorhead, MN.  She was the daughter of Vincent and Rena Mason, and the youngest of their four children. She is preceded in death by her husband Dallas Nelson, who passed in January 2011.  
 
Susan is survived by her two sons, Gregory Mader (Married to Ronda), and Eric Lee Mader (Married to Mari), and four grandchildren, (Lorelei, Sabina, Aki, and Ren).
 
Employed for decades by the State of Minnesota’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Susan devoted her professional life to assisting disabled individuals with access to job training and support in finding meaningful job opportunities. This work was transformational for many of her clients, including disabled war refugees from places such as Cambodia and the Balkans who faced both physical challenges and language barriers. She remained close to many of these clients as lifelong friends.
 
Throughout her life, Susan acquired a reputation as a “free spirit,” often moving from place to place. She was not one to focus on material things or conventional ways. She often drove her son Eric to pre-school on a motorcycle, she never mowed her lawn, detested cleaning her house, and was happy to have peanut butter sandwiches for dinner.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 121 S. 9th St., Fargo, at 11 AM followed by a light lunch.  Susan loved cats and was a supporter of Cat’s Cradle shelter in Fargo. In lieu of any memorial flowers, she requested donations be made on her behalf (catscradleshelter.org). Susan’s final resting place will be alongside Dallas at the Spooner Wisconsin veteran’s cemetery.