Virginia Mae Nelson

PORTAGE – Virginia Mae Nelson, 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Portage on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, surrounded by loving family.

Virginia was born on November 4, 1930, on the family farm near Locust, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Cora (Barth) Ruffridge. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust, Iowa, and graduated from Decorah High School in Decorah, Iowa. She married I. G. Eldon Nelson on August 14, 1953, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa.

She is survived by her husband, I. G. Eldon Nelson of Portage; children, Jacalyn (Jim) Stavlo of West Salem, Eric (Sue) Nelson of Randolph; grandchildren, Joseph (Jami) Stavlo, Kim Stavlo, William (Kristin) Stavlo, Kristian Nelson, Emma Nelson; great-grandchildren, Blake Emery, Elizabeth Stavlo, Ava Stavlo, William Stavlo; sister, Fern Dungey of New Hampton, IA; sisters-in-law, Arla Ruffridge of Decorah, IA, Joyce Braaten of Austin, MN; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Cora (Barth) Ruffridge; brothers, Norman (Neoma) Ruffridge, Orville (Dottie) Ruffridge, Curtis (Dorothy) Ruffridge, Gordon Ruffridge, Palmer (Arla) Ruffridge; and sister, Harriet (George) Brom.  

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.