Barbara A. Nelson

Barbara Ann Nelson (Lau) passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in New Richland, Minnesota. She was 67 years old.

Barb was born March 17, 1958, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Archie and Lois Lau. Barb was a graduate from Albert Lea High School. On May 14, 1977, Barb married Kent Allan Nelson at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Barb spent many years working in retail including time at Korner Mart, Dollar Tree, Casey’s, and most recently Walmart.

Barb enjoyed gardening and turned her backyard into a bountiful area to grow vegetables which she used for canning so her family could enjoy the fruits of her labor all year. Though her cooking skills were very basic in her early married days, she spent much of her time honing these skills over recent years, with so many benefitting from her development.

Barb loved her children and grandchildren deeply and she loved watching them grow. She could often be found supporting them in their activities, whether sitting in the bleachers at a sporting event or attending a school concert or a dance recital. She also loved her four-legged “kids” - the dogs, including her grand-pups. She gave multiple pups a second chance at life through rescuing them from shelters.

She also enjoyed music - especially country music, with her favorite being Reba McEntire. She was able to see Reba in concert many times in life. In recent years, Barb and Kent made it a priority to travel and take in concerts by many of their favorites, enjoy time together and grow closer than ever. These memories they made will keep them bonded forever.

Barb is survived by her husband, Kent Nelson; children, Kristopher Nelson, Kelly (Tony) Martens, Katie (Jason) Meinzer, and Kascey (Michael) Haslanger; her grandchildren, Allison and Brody Nelson, Carter and Corbin Martens, Nathan, Cameron, and Mackenna Meinzer.

She is preceded in death by parents Archie and Lois; father-in-law Gerald “Jerry” Nelson, and mother-in-law Evelyn “Evie” Nelson.

A visitation will be held Monday, November 17, 2025, from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland Minnesota. A service will be officiated by Pastor Scott Williams on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11:00AM, with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church.