Carney & Maggie Nelson Memorial Endowments

The Carney and Maggie Nelson Endowments were established for the benefit of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and John Paul II School by a bequest from Carney Nelson.

Donations may be made by anyone, in any amount and at any time.


When making an online donation, please select "other" and specify the fund name you wish to support. " Thank you for your generosity!

Carney & Maggie Nelson Memorial Endowment for John Paul II School or Carney & Maggie Nelson Memorial Endowment for Holy Spirit Parish.

+Carney C. Nelson, age 79, of Mitchell, SD died Monday, April 28, 2014 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab one day before his 80th birthday. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, May 2, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with private family burial at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Will Funeral Chapel. Carney Nelson was born to Norris and Alice (Adams) Nelson on April 29, 1934 in Charles Mix, County, SD. He graduated from Lake Andes High School in 1952 and from SDSU in Brookings in 1957 with a degree in pharmacy. He married Jean Taylor on May 7, 1955 and seven children were born of that marriage. His wife, Jean, passed away in 1968. Carney married Maggie Moran on July 31, 1971, and one child was born of that marriage. Carney began his pharmacy career in Platte, SD, at Eastman Drug. Later he worked at Scallin Drug in Mitchell. In 1962 he opened Sixth Avenue Pharmacy in the Tobin Clinic Building. Carney worked part time as consulting pharmacist at St. Joseph Hospital and became Director of Hospital Pharmacy in 1974. In 1970 he became a consultant and vendor for the Mitchell Retirement Nursing Home. He was also the consultant pharmacist to a 168 bed nursing home and developed a unit dose system. Carney owned the Tobin Clinic building with Dr. Weatherill until Avera Queen of Peace Hospital purchased it in 1990. He finished his pharmacy career when he retired in 2004. All of his life, Carney also owned land and raised cattle at Lake Andes, his hometown. Happy to have shared his life are his eight children: Laurie Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD; Doug (Nancy) Nelson, Chamberlain, SD; Robert (Marsha) Nelson, San Antonio, TX; James (Amber) Nelson, Lake Andes, SD; Ann Harless, Plankinton, SD; Mary (Donn) Johnson, Mitchell, SD; Jennifer Heidelberger, Worthington, MN; and Melissa (Steve) Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD. He is survived by his eight children, 22 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, brothers- and sister-in law. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean Taylor Nelson; his wife, Maggie Moran Nelson; his brothers and sisters, Nate (Florence) Nelson, Arnold (Laura) Nelson, LaVonne (Luther)Wigdahl, Robert (Mert) Nelson, Fern (Pat) Campbell and Gladys (Adolph) Sejnoha. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Carney's name.

+Margaret Nelson, age 73 of Mitchell, died Tuesday, December 09, 2008 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday December 13, 2008 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Friday at Holy Spirit Church with prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Services are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be directed to the American Cancer Society

Maggie was born on March 15, 1935 in Woonsocket, SD to Francis and Bertha (Ritter) Moran. She graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1953, where she was the first homecoming queen. Maggie then attended St. Joseph School of Nursing in Mitchell, SD and graduated in 1956. After graduation she became the head nurse of the surgical floor, at St. Joseph Hospital, later being promoted to director of nursing. Maggie remained director of nursing until she resigned in July of 1971 to marry Carney Nelson and became a mother to seven children.

Added to this union was one more precious daughter. Maggie, first and foremost a mother, one of the best in the world, she never lost her desire to care for other, after her children were grown she entered back into the nursing field by assisting as an OB charge nurse, during this time she assisted in the delivery of her namesake grand daughter Stephanie Margaret. Maggie also helped the elderly at the Storla Nursing Home, teaching and instructing nurse’s aids to become certified.

Maggie was very involved volunteering with several different organizations such as Teddy Bear Treasures, Meals on Wheels, and Feed the Needy. She was a member of the Davison County America Cancer Society, Democratic Party Officer, Heart and Soul Cancer Walk, Holy Spirit Alter Society, Catholic Daughters, Lay Minister, Nursing Alumni Association. Last but not least she was Queen Mum of the Red Hat Club.

Maggie is survived by her husband Carney Nelson, her children, daughters: Laurie Nelson, Mitchell, SD; Ann Harless, Plankinton, SD; Mary (Donn) Johnson, Mitchell, SD; Melissa Dingler, Brandon, SD; Jennifer (James) Heidelberger, Brewster, MN. Her sons: Doug (Nancy) Nelson, Chamberlain, SD; Robert (Marsha) Nelson, San Antonio, TX; James (Amber) Nelson, Lake Andes, SD. 16 grandchildren: Jason (Sarah), Michael (Aaron), Jamie, Stephanie, Samantha, Brittney, Danielle, Elijah, Kellie (Chris), Kirsten, Kammi, Michelle, Mike, Josh, Kayla, Nelson, Maggie and our lovable Rudy. Also 3 great-grandchildren: Aiden, Taylor, and Kaleb. 6 sisters: Rose Moran, Woonsocket, SD; Pat Borgerding, Rolla, MO; Mary Carol Gere, Pierre, SD; Lynn Moran, Custer, SD; Lea Moran, Mitchell, SD; and Geraldine Moran, Mitchell, SD. 3 brothers: Dan Moran, Madison, SD; Jim Moran, Woonsocket, SD; and Larry Moran, Dell Rapids, SD.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, two brothers Matt and Tommy, and many aunts and uncles.