Obituary of Barbara Margaret Nelson

Nelson, Barbara Margaret (Gold), 83, of Apple Valley, Minnesota passed from this life into a new life with the Lord on March 11, 2017. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John, her much-loved niece, Suzann, sisters Donna, Matilda and Helene, brothers George and Karl, and parents Karl and Clara (Leidenfrost) Gold. Barbara is survived by her three loving sons, Keith (Rebecca), Jeffrey (Deborah), Miles (Lynn); her six grandsons Samuel (Melanie), Jonathan (Shantel), Matthew, Erik, Andrew and Adam; sisters-in-law Beverly Gold and Joyce Saucier; many nieces, nephews and friends. Barbara was born in Hillman, Minnesota on December 29, 1933. Due to the Great Depression her family moved back to her father's home in Vienna, Austria. While living in Austria, Barbara's mother, oldest sister, Donna, and youngest brother, Karl, died. She lived in Austria until the end of World War II. At that time her father sent Barbara and her sisters to Pierz, Minnesota where they lived with Aunt Anne Leidenfrost and Uncle John Leidenfrost. She finished high school in Pierz. In 1955 Barbara married John Nelson. The couple made their first home in Minneapolis, then moved to Green Bay Wisconsin where they started a family. They soon moved back to Minnesota, settling in Bloomington. Barbara spent her final years in Apple Valley where she made many friends and was very involved in her Summerhill community. Barbara had a passion for both reading and writing. She faithfully corresponded with friends and family in Vienna. She was a published author of short stories recounting her childhood in Vienna. Barbara was also a regular contributor to the Summerhill Community newsletter. Barbara loved to play cards. She was a much sought after bridge partner. She also enjoyed playing “500” and “Up and Down” with her sons and grandsons (and their unfortunate spouses) at raucous family gatherings. Above all, Barbara was a person of great faith and a dedicated Catholic. She was honored to serve as a “Stephen's Minister” at her home parish, Nativity of Mary in Bloomington. She faithfully brought the Eucharist to Nativity's shut-in members. She read her Bible and prayed every day for family and friends. Barbara will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A Mass celebrating Barbara's life will be held at 10:00 on March 17, 2017 with a visitation one hour prior, at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 9900 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, Barbara made the request that memorials be made to Nativity.