Martha Nelson, 96

Martha Emma Ann (Lindholm) Nelson, 96, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at the Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock, where she had made her home for the past five years.
Born on May 14, 1929, on her family’s farm in Springbrook Township, Martha was the sixth of seven children of Hilma (Rydberg) and Albert Lindholm. She grew up attending the one room District 45 schoolhouse and graduated from Kennedy High School in 1947. Afterward, she worked as a nurse’s aide in Hallock and helped at Erickson Farms—where she met the love of her life, Floyd Nelson.
Martha and Floyd were married on December 7, 1947, at East Emmaus Lutheran Church, where she had been baptized and confirmed. Their honeymoon was shortened by a winter storm, but their partnership endured for a lifetime. Together they built their first home from the old District 45 schoolhouse, creating a warm and steady place for their growing family.
Martha supported the household through various part time jobs, including at Eukel’s Hartz grocery store, and later as a dedicated Avon representative for 16 years. She and Floyd made their life in the Kennedy area, raising five children and taking active part in the Maria Lutheran Church community. They enjoyed fishing and having a lake place at Cyrus Resort on Lake of the Woods. In later years, she and Floyd also cherished 18 winters as snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona.
Known for her quick laugh, creativity, and boundless energy, Martha was a talented seamstress, an excellent cook, and an immaculate homemaker. She loved fishing, camping, knitting, gardening, walking, square dancing, and playing cards of every variety. She had a remarkable ability to “McGyver” anything that needed fixing. Her grandchildren relish memories of the crafts, stories, and fishing adventures shared with this icon of a lady, who never showed up without her perfectly manicured nails. If there was one thing Martha taught her children and grandchildren, it was presentation: food, flowers, home, garden, fashion, make-up, nails, you name it. She made everything look effortless.
Martha was never one to sit still – An active member of the VFW Auxiliary Club, Homemakers Club, Hobby Club, Bridge Club, and church, she found value and purpose in helping. Even at 80 years old, you would find her standing up on countertops cleaning cupboards or in her kitchen arranging flowers, baking homemade rolls, or challenging her friends and family to a game of cards.
Throughout the years, witnessing the growth of her children and grandchildren was Martha’s greatest joy and richest blessing. In addition to her parents and all six of her siblings, Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Floyd, their son, Dwight Nelson, and son-in-law, Rick Hendrickson. She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne (Terry) Berg, Connie Nelson, Renae Hendrickson, and Rachel Gustafson, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren who will miss her dearly.
A joint memorial service for Dwight and his mother, Martha, will be held at Kennedy Covenant Church on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held at the church for an hour before the service. Interment will be in Kennedy City Cemetery.