Julie Ann Nelson

Julie Nelson, 71, of Big Lake, Minnesota formerly of Elbow Lake, passed away unexpectedly in her home on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 14th at 2:00 pm at United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will be held Friday, September 13th from 5-7pm at United Lutheran Church and resume one hour before the service on Saturday.  

Julie Setnes was born to Parnell (Pete) and Anetta Setnes on June 3, 1953. She was baptized at Goodwill Lutheran Church and confirmed into the Christian faith at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, South Dakota and graduated from Sisseton High School in 1971. Julie graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1975 with a degree in education. She was a proud Cobber. Julie started her teaching career at Herman High School. She taught high school business classes from 1975 to 1980. 

On August 13, 1977, Julie married Michael Nelson of Herman, Minnesota and the couple had three children. The couple started and ran their own business, Airstream Dust Helmets/Airware America, for 46 years. Julie was a devoted and hopeful Minnesota sports fan. The Minnesota Twins were her favorite and she rarely missed a game. She also loved music and attended many music festivals and concerts in her life.

Julie was a former member of the United Lutheran Bell Choir, Church Board, Tipsinah Mounds Golf Board and Women’s Golf League. She was an avid golfer and was able to get many rounds in at her home at Carefree Country Club in Big Lake, Minnesota as well as her winter home in Mesa, Arizona. When she wasn’t on the course Julie liked to read, visit with friends, travel, and spend time with her children and grandchildren.  

Julie is survived by her husband Michael; children Janee (Kurt) Strunk of Hoffman, Reid (Sheila) Nelson of St Paul, and Kayla (John) Todd of Roseville. Grandchildren Alexis, Tenley, and Kennedy Strunk, and Brennan and Brady Todd. Siblings Paul (Cynthia) Setnes of Brookings, South Dakota, Jeanne Setnes of Brooklyn Park, Renee (Jerry) Walz of Bismarck, North Dakota, mother-in-law Gladys Nelson of Elbow Lake. sister-in-law Teresa (Jim) Gruber of St Paul, sister-in-law Lynda (Denny) Bell of Terre Haute, Indiana, many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends. Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Parnell and Anetta Setnes and father-in-law, Donald Nelson.

 In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the WCA Education Foundation. Donations can be made online at https://wcif.org/fund/wca/ or mailed to WCA Education Foundation 301 County Road #2 Barrett, MN 56311.