Natalie Jean Nelson

Natalie Jean Nelson, age 65 of rural Glenville, passed to her heavenly home on the evening of July 16, 2026 at the Mayo Hospital in Austin.

A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea on Saturday August 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services, in Albert Lea on Friday, July 31, 2026 and again an hour before service at the church. Rev. Matthew Lehman will be officiating. There will be a luncheon after the service, followed by interment at Round Prairie Cemetery.

Natalie Jean Nelson was born December 14, 1960 in Albert Lea, MN to Ralph and Barbara Gilman. She was a graduate of Albert Lea High School class of 1979. She also attended school in Ellendale while her family owned the Geneva Market. While growing up, she was a member of the Sunset Saddle Club and also enjoyed playing guitar and banjo.

While a senior in high school Natalie asked Dana to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Shortly thereafter they were engaged and united in Holy Matrimony on November 8, 1980. Throughout her life Natalie worked numerous jobs, attended college in Rochester to become a surgical tech, and was a paramedic for Naeve Ambulance for several years. She also worked as a meter reader for Alliant Energy, and dispatcher at Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative. Throughout her adult life she was co-owner and instructor of Northland Karate, an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, and their custodian for several years.

Natalie enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, quilting, hunting and loved to surround herself with animals of all sorts. After moving to the farm in 2000, raising chickens and collecting their eggs became a hobby. After retirement Natalie also volunteered her time as bingo card gal at the American Legion in Albert Lea.

Survivors include her husband, Dana; children, Derek Nelson (Sarah), Nicole Weis (Brian); her mother, Barbara Gilman; brothers, David (Mary), Paul (Nancy); and sister, Sue (Kim); her grandchildren, Kaylie Nelson, Carter and Zakkary Weis; and mother-in-law, Elaine Nelson; along with numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Natalie was preceded in death by her grandparents Ralph Sr. and Ruth Gilman, Field and Muriel Cornick, her father Ralph Jr., aunts Barbara (Bobby) Gilman and Ruth Schmidt (Gilman) and uncle Loren Cornick; father-in-law DeWain Nelson, sister-in-law Dawn Dace, and brother-in-law Douglas Nelson.

Natalie especially cherished time with her grandchildren, who brought her immense joy. Her caring ways, sparkling eyes and contagious smile will not be forgotten. Her compassion, steady presence, and dedication as a paramedic touched countless lives during some of the community's most difficult moments.

"Better things are yet to come!"

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church earmarked 'roof fund', or Glaydon Iverson Chapter 16 Disabled American Veterans.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, Hebrews 6:19 NKJV