Charlene Nelson

Charlene Ethel Bock (Bement) Nelson was born August 19, 1937, at home in Nokay Lake Township, in the house her father built. She attended country school through sixth grade, then was bussed to Brainerd to continue her schooling. She graduated from Washington High School in 1957.

Char married in 1957 and had two sons, Randy and Ronald Bement. During that marriage, her family moved to the Twin Cities area and lived in Circle Pines. She worked in a ski factory for over five years, worked in a school kitchen, worked for Control Data, and then worked in an office for Hyman Freightways in St. Paul.

After 23 years of marriage, Char divorced. She later lived in New Brighton, where she met Clayton H. Nelson. Char and Clayton were married on September 12, 1981. She continued working for Hyman Freightways and retired after working there for 21 years.

In 1983, Char and Clayton built a new home in Circle Pines, where they lived until selling it in 1993. In 1990, they bought 40 acres north of Ogilvie, Minnesota. They built up the farm, including the buildings and house, and crop farmed with Clayton's brother, JR, and his son, Gerald Nelson. Char especially enjoyed working and living on the farm.

In 2015, Char and Clayton held an auction, sold the farm, and moved to Brainerd to be closer to Char's family. They bought a house in Baxter, later sold it, and then lived in assisted living at Edgewood in Brainerd. In 2021, Clayton passed away after 39 years of marriage. Char remained at Edgewood assisted living in Brainerd.

Char enjoyed square dancing, gardening vegetables and flowers, traveling, camping, playing cards, and bingo. She also enjoyed time with her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Della; her sisters, Donna Satre and Jeanette Eller; her brother James "Jim" Bock; husband Clayton Nelson; her son, Ronald Bement; and brother-in-laws, Earl Eller and Irv Oldenburg.

Charlene is survived by her sister, Shirley Oldenburg; son Randy (Gail) Bement; grandchildren, Charlie (Lexie Lemke) Bement, Kayla (Kellan) Pfaff, Jessica (Tom) Bement-Eggleston. Jaclyn (Clayton) Rippee; great grandchildren, Marilyn, Eleanor, Cecilia and Carsen; many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter with a visitation starting one hour prior.