Aili Marie Nelson

Aili Marie Nelson, 97, passed quietly away on October 15, 2026, in Atlantis, Florida. She was born on August 27, 1929, in Mohawk, Michigan, the second of twelve children of Eli and Aurora (Waara) Kangas.

Aili and Raymond Nelson married in November 1956. After a few years in Michigan, they moved to Minnesota where they raised their seven children. Once retired, they spent winters in their Florida home.

She was preceded in death by her son David, her parents, brothers Eli, Reuben, Vernon, Wesley, 2 infant brothers, sister-in-law Carolyn Kangas, brother-in-law Henry L’Esperance, and many Nelson in-laws.

Missing her are her beloved husband and children Timothy, Gayle, Eric (Laurie), Philip, Maria (Carlos Trejo) and Andrea; grandchildren Christina Nelson, Dylan Nelson (Amanda), Jordan Trejo, Quinn Trejo, Samantha Trejo, and Jazmin Chase (Sam Dunne); and great grandchildren Ezra, Gaia and Rudy.

She is also survived by her siblings: Marilyn L’Esperance, Norma (Don) Anderson, Clarice (Jim) Pesonen, Lorene (Gerald) Kumpula, Ronald (Barbara) Kangas, sisters-in-law Cheryl Kangas, Jeanette Kangas, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service Friday, October 23rd, 11:00 am (Visitation 10:30am) at Rockford Laestadian Lutheran Church, Buffalo, MN. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, French Lake, MN.