Marjorie G. Nelson, 94, of Grantsburg, passed away on May 2, 2019, at Burnett Medical Continuing Care Center.

Marge was born in a farmhouse in Ekdall, 10 miles north of Grantsburg, on May 10, 1924 to Walter T. and Olive M. V. Currey. She attended and graduated from school in Grantsburg. She attended the Polk County Teachers College in St. Croix Falls and finished her education at what is now UW-Superior.

She taught all 8 grades at the rural Karlsborg School near Webster and then taught elementary students at Bruce, Wisconsin where she met and married her husband Wilbur (Bill).

They lived in Bruce where they had a daughter Cheryl and son Gary. In 1952 the family moved to St. Paul, MN when Bill got a job at Perfection Type, a printing company. A second daughter, Janet, was added to the family. They lived in several homes in St. Paul before purchasing a new home in a Woodbury, MN development. Marge continued to work part-time as a substitute teacher in the North St. Paul School District.

In 1962 Burnett County was left without a weekly newspaper when the Journal of Burnett County ceased publication. Bill chose to move the family to Grantsburg where he and Marge started the Burnett County Sentinel in October 1962. Gary joined the family business in 1970. In 1975 Bill passed away and the newspaper continued with Marge and Gary’s guidance. Gary later purchased his mother’s share of the business and operated the Sentinel until 1994 when it was sold. For many years Marge wrote an award-winning column “This ‘N That” in the Sentinel. Over the years she was involved in many civic and church endeavors. She was the first woman president of the Friends of Crex organization and was instrumental in making the Crex Meadows Visitors Center a reality. She also served a term as president of the Grantsburg Chamber of Commerce, and was involved in the Grantsburg Woman’s Club, Burnett Medical Center Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Centennial observance, other civic fundraising efforts, and many church committees. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, family get-togethers, and time spent with her many friends.

She is survived by her son Gary (Tammy) Nelson and daughter Janet (Tim) Fossum; grandchildren Janelle (Corey) Smestad, Jeff (Kristine) Tietz, Kim (Nick) Hallberg, Katie Nelson, Jared Fossum, and Jason (Ashley) Fossum; great-granchildren Hannah Smestad, Logan Smestad, Landon Smestad, Gage Tietz, Maizie Tietz, Livia Tietz, Lauren Hallberg, and Grant Hallberg; brother Carl (Darlene) Currey; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, daughter Cheryl (Bill) Tietz, parents Walter and Olive Currey, sister Carmen and brother-in-law Roger Marek, sister Delores and brother-in-law Jesse Black, and brother Clyde and sister-in-law Phyllis Currey.

The Celebration of Life for Marjorie will be held on Monday, May 13, 2019, at 11:00am (visitation from 10-11:00am) at the Central United Methodist Church in Grantsburg. 

The family extends their deepest appreciation to Burnett Medical Center and the Continuing Care Center for their truly compassionate and professional care, and to the many people who have helped make her years on Earth a most enjoyable and pleasurable experience.

Last Update: May 08, 2019 7:13 am CDT