Sandra E. Nelson

Sandra Ellen Nelson was born July 4, 1944, to Leonard J. and Grace Buehner Cotter in Albert Lea. She attended St. Edward's Catholic Church and graduated from Austin High School. In her youth, Sandra was active in 4-H showing award-winning steers. On September 8, 1962, she was united in marriage to Jon A. Nelson at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Austin. The couple has lived in Hayward for the last 42 years. Sandra retired from the Hayward Co-op Elevator after over 20 years as a bookkeeper. She enjoyed rummage sales, NASCAR, and spending time at the Mississippi River Valley. Sandra especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Jon of Hayward; sons, Michael and his wife, Teri Nelson of Albert Lea and Patrick and his wife, Laurie Nelson of Rochester; grandchildren, Cody and Samantha Nelson of Rochester and Amanda and Cara Nelson of Albert Lea; brother, Fred Cotter of Tennessee; sisters, Judy Kitchen of North Carolina and Karen Johnsrud of Clarks Grove; her mother, Grace Cotter of Austin; and mother-in-law, Ginny Nelson of Hayward. Sandra was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Cotter.