Elizabeth (Liz) Nelson, age 90, of Albert Lea passed away Friday, June 22, 2007 at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center where she had been a resident for the last year-and-a-half.

Funeral services for Liz will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be in the Geneva Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and one hour prior to the time of the service on Wednesday.

Elizabeth was born on March 7, 1917 in Filmore County, the daughter of Henry and Eibetji (Den Herder) Draayer. She was the sixth of seven children. Her parents moved to the Sioux Center, Iowa, area when she was six weeks old. She was baptized in the Sioux Center Reformed Church when she was four years old, along with her younger sister.

In 1924 Liz and her family moved to Hollandale. She attended school in Iowa and in Hollandale. Elizabeth married Ferrell Monroe Nelson on September 6, 1941. They made their home in Hollandale for 35 years. She made her confession of faith at the age of 15. In her youth Liz sang in the choir, was a member of the Girls Volunteer Band, the Christian Endeavor, worked with Bible school, was an assistant Sunday school teacher, and also sang for the Migrant Workers. She was a member of the Hollandale Reformed Church where she most recently belonged to the Mary Martha Circle. Elizabeth was also a member of the Red Hat Society at the Good Samaritan Center.

In 1983, Liz and her husband moved to Pinehurst, Texas and retired there for 16 years. They returned to Albert Lea in 1999. Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting and gardening. She loved to raise roses in Texas and was an avid bird-watcher. She loved to take care of her grandchildren while she was near them.

Survivors include her children Conrad and his wife Conny Nelson of Pinehurst, Texas, Danne Nelson and special friend Betty Sprague, both of Albert Lea, and Stanley and his wife Cindy Nelson of Clarks Grove; grandchildren Bridget (Tom) Stack, Montess Nelson, Chris (Shannan) Nelson, Justin Nelson, Jeremy (Angie) Nelson, Michelle Nelson and Michael Nelson; great-grandchildren Jazlyn, Katie, Savanah, Bryn, Noah, Gavin and Emery; her sister Henrietta Reynen of Austin; and many nieces and nephews.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ferrell, her sisters Gertrude and Tillie, and her brothers John, Bert and Chris.