Violet Nelson, age 97, died at the Colony, a senior living facility in Eden Prairie, MN, on September 27, 2016.   A memorial service will be held on October 22, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Glenwood United Parish.  Visitation will be at 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will be at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar, MN.  Memorial gifts may be sent to Glenwood United Parish, 10-17th Ave. NW, Box 70, Glenwood, MN 56334. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Violet Hulda Nelson, daughter of August and Anna (Krueger) Hartjen, was born on March 2, 1919, in Dumont, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Dumont.

Violet attended elementary school in Dumont and was graduated from Graceville High School.  She attended Teachers' Training School in Wheaton and then taught for several years in one room country schoolhouses in the Traverse County area.

In the early years, she boarded with a nearby farm family and walked to the schoolhouse during the week.  Her father or brother drove her to the farm on Sundays and picked her up on Fridays.  Eventually, she got a car. While teaching in the country schools, she also had janitorial and snow shoveling duties (path to the out houses). In the winter, she had to start a fire in the big pot belly stove, to warm the school room before the students arrived.

Violet took further training at Moorhead State College and the University of Minnesota, Morris, where she received a B.A. degree in elementary education, plus numerous additional courses and credits for her certificate for special education.

In 1956, Violet moved to Glenwood, MN, where she taught in the elementary and high schools until her retirement in June 1980.

Violet was united in marriage to Merton Sager on June 13, 1943, at Dumont Lutheran Church.  On June 14, 1959, Violet and Rudolph Nelson were united in marriage at the Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Violet and Rudy lived in Glenwood until 1982, when they moved to Alexandria. They then spent several years traveling throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.  After Rudy's death in 1995, Violet remained in Alexandria until 2005, when she moved back to Glenwood.  Violet was very active in card clubs and especially enjoyed playing bridge.  She and Rudy also enjoyed bowling, golf and restoring antique furniture.

Violet is survived by her son, Dennis Sager (Judy) of Bloomington, MN; granddaughter Jodi Sager (Les Medin) of Savage, MN; stepdaughter Margaret (Kenneth) Swanson of Ivanhoe, MN; stepson Charles (Kathy) Nelson of Brooklyn Park, MN; stepson Jerome (Judy) Nelson of Aurora, CO; sister Bernice Niss of Fairmont, MN; step-grandchildren Elizabeth Taylor; Steven (Michelle) Nelson; Kim (Kurt) Eich; Scott (Laura) Nelson; Chad (Chauante) Nelson; Adam (Linda) Nelson; and 16 step great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by foster daughter Lucille (Kim) Jorgenson and foster grandchildren Paul and Jason (Briana) Peterson.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Percy, Alfred and Milbert Hartjen; sisters Hattie Walz and Frieda Hauschild.

Violet was a very caring and dedicated teacher and spent many hours of her own time tutoring students with special needs.  She often used her own money for food, clothing and school supplies for needy students.  Many of her former students have maintained contact over the years.