Lila Mae Nelson was born on May 13, 1922, to Ewalt B. and Mabel M. (Johnson) Nelson in Aurora, Nebraska. In 1934 she moved with her parents and siblings to Windom which remained her home for her entire life. She was confirmed at the American Lutheran Church in Windom and graduated from Windom High School in 1940. Upon high school graduation she enrolled at Mankato State College and attended briefly until her father's untimely death necessitated her return home to assist the family during the subsequent difficult years. She went to work at Northwestern Bell Telephone and lived in the family home with her mother and siblings, helping to provide for and support them in the absence of their father. After Merle and Marilyn had left home, Lila Mae chose to remain at home, caring for her mother and establishing a life of service to her profession and dedication to her church, community, and family. She became a "second mother" to nine Nelson and Nielsen nieces and nephews and she made it a life's ambition to help "raise them right." Lila was a dear friend to many and she enjoyed occasional vacation trips with one or with a few of her friends to places that she or they wanted to see and visit. Her mother accompanied her also on several trips to California to visit relatives. Mostly, though, Lila was always there with Grandma Mabel at every important family function that "both sides" of the family had. She was our "auntie Lila" and we loved her dearly. She retired from Northwestern Bell in the early 1980's after forty plus years of service. For the last thirteen years, Lila had been a resident of Mikkelsen Manor and The Good Samaritan Society- Sogge Memorial Home in Windom. She loved her home there because of the many friendships she made with "special" staff members who took wonderful care of her and with other residents, some of whom she'd known for most of her life. "It's like a vacation resort" she once told us. Thank you Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial. Lila Mae was preceded in death by her parents, brother Merle, sister Marilyn and niece Karen Nelson. Left to celebrate her life are Deb, Mark, Steven and Barb (Nelsons) and Bob, Rich, Lynn, and Lori (Nielsen's) and their families. Blessed be her memory.