Cora Matilda Nelson was born May 17, 1922 on a farm south of Delmont, SD to parents John and Salme (Uttecht) Peters. She died December 11, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center in Centerville, SD at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 24 days.

Cora was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She received her education in rural schools in Douglas and Aurora counties. She married Marvin Nelson on December 28, 1947 in Wagner, SD. They farmed in the Centerville area until 1992 when they moved into Centerville. Cora worked as a part of the Green Thumb program at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Viborg and the Good Samaritan Center in Centerville until she suffered a stroke and heart attack in 1994. She worked hard all her life and enjoyed being with her family. She liked making cookies with her grandchildren, gardening, tending her flowers, and sewing quilts for her grandchildren.

She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Centerville where she was active in the Ladies Aid. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Centerville Al-Anon and the VFW Auxiliary in Beresford.

Her survivors include her husband of 61 years Marvin of Centerville; son Wayne Nelson and wife Jackie of Centerville; daughters: Barbara Lopez and husband Guy of New Bern, NC, Mary Lou Nelson of Garretson, SD, Cindy Obeslo and husband Mark of Sioux Falls, and Lori Ross and husband Tom of Yuma, AZ; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; and son-in-law Daryl Rossow of Gillette, WY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Dianna Rossow, and two brothers.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Centerville United Church of Christ Building Fund.

Funeral services will be held 2:00PM, Thursday, December 17 at the United Church of Christ in Centerville. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, rural Centerville. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4PM to 8PM with family present from 6PM to 8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Centerville.