Joanne Nelson

Joanne F. Nelson, age 79, of Faribault, died Thursday, November 29, 2012 at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis following an extended illness.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick in Shieldsville. Interment will be held at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Joanne Frances Tousignant, the daughter of Philip and Josephine (LeMieux) Tousignant, was born on December 18, 1932 in Faribault. She graduated from Bethlehem Academy with the class of 1950. Joanne then worked at Poirier Drug Store in Faribault. She married David Nelson on May 14, 1960 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. He preceded her in death on December 20, 2010. Joanne was a homemaker for her family and always opened her home to others. She later worked as a teacher's aide in the Faribault School District for 20 years until her retirement. Joanne was a loving and caring person who greatly enjoyed her time with family and friends.

She is survived by five children, Mark (Emma) Nelson of Yuma, AZ, Bruce (Robin) Nelson of Faribault, Debbie Nelson of Faribault, Sally (Pat) Janostin of Champlin, MN, and Brad (Lisa) Nelson of Coon Rapids, MN; 10 grandchildren; a great granddaughter; three brothers, Dennis (Carol) Tousignant, Larry (Noreen) Tousignant, and Ronald (Dianne) Tousignant, all of Faribault; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David; and her parents.