Obituary of Anna Dorothea Nelson

Anna Dorothea Christensen Nelson Anna D. Christensen Nelson, age 104, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022. She was born in Erie, PA on April 15, 1918, the daughter of the late Martin and Jensine Petersen Christensen. Anna was in the class of 1936 at Millcreek H.S. where she served on the committees for the 25th and 30th class reunions. She formerly worked at the Boston Store as a sales lady and assistant buyer in the daytime dress and robe dept. on the 2nd floor. She also modeled in their fashion shows. Anna also worked in the US Army Dental Clinic at the Army Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD, while her husband Leo, served in the Army. She worked at Standard Products Co. in Port Clinton, OH, while Leo served at Camp Perry, US Army. She worked on large rotor blades for army helicopters for WWII. She was a long-time member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir for many years. She was active in “Patchwork of Love” quilting ministry at church and she also tended the church’s gardens each summer. She was past president of the local lodge of Danish Sisterhood of America. Anna was a 38 year member of the Presque Isle Sweet Adelines where, besides singing, she was active in choreography and costuming. After Leo retired from his podiatric medical practice, they were “snowbirds” in Tucson, AZ, for a few years. Anna was able to join their Sweet Adelines chorus and competed with them at Sweet Adeline International Competition in Phoenix, AZ and also San Diego and Long Beach, CA. She and Leo attended many Sweet Adeline International Chorus and Quartet Competitions all over the US. She and Leo loved ballroom dancing and were members of the Revelers Dinner Dance Group. On May 2, 1969, they were crowned King and Queen of the “Celebrity Emerald Ball” at Rainbow Gardens. Anna enjoyed exercising, line dancing, gardening, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, and playing hymns on the grand piano which Leo purchased when he was 19 years old. A favorite hobby was making denim lap robes and quilts (690) for family and friends. She received recognition for her Centurion age by PA Governor Tom Wolf. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Leo J. Nelson, her brothers: Jacob (Clara), Alfred (Jo), Harold (Ruth), Walter (Stephanie), Roy (Jeanne), and John, her sister Margaret (Marius) Melgaard, and her son-in-law Dean Lenz, She is survived by her daughter Pamela E. Lenz of Wickliffe, OH , Grandson: Dr. Rick Lenz (Kristen) of Buffalo, NY, Great granddaughter, Jamison, Great grandsons; Franklin and Hudson, Grandson, Atty. David Lenz (Dr. Jen) of Mayfield Village, OH, Great granddaughters; Clara and Annette, son; Dr. Douglas M. Nelson (Sonya) of Erie, Granddaughter Lynn Taylor (Dr. Jonathan) of Columbus, OH, Great granddaughter Vivianne, Granddaughter, Kristen Nelson of Morgantown, WV, Granddaughter, Wendy Nelson of Erie, Son; Craig E. Nelson (Linda) of Nashville, TN, Grandson; Hans Nelson (Natalie) of Murfreesboro, TN, Great granddaughter, Taylor, great grandsons; Bailey and Graham, Grandson; Eric Nelson of Nashville, TN, Grandson; Wes Nelson (Catherine) of Nashville, TN, Great granddaughter Brynn, Grandson; Will Nelson (Dr. Rachel) of Nashville, TN, Great grandson Isaac, Son; Dr. Chris L. Nelson (Laura) of North East, PA, other survivors include many nieces and nephews, as well as Gary Borowy, whom Anna affectionately called her number four son. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday, June 17, 2022 from 2 to 4 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm and are invited to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3108 Sterrettania Rd., Erie, PA 16506 on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Funeral Service at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, American Red Cross, 4961 Pittsburgh Ave., Erie, PA 16509, or to the Shriner’s Hospital, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505.