Ann Nelson, 71, Owatonna

Ann Marie Nelson, 71, of Owatonna, entered eternal rest on Sunday, July 5, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna, closing with a Parish Rosary recital at 7 p.m. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Corpus Christi Cemetery in Deerfield Township immediately following Mass.

Ann was born to parents Edward and Mary “Kate” (Schweisthal) Stadler in Faribault. She attended Medford School and graduated in 1973. After high school, Ann obtained a degree in data processing from Faribault Vocational Technical Institute. She welcomed her first daughter, Sara, in 1975.

Ann began her career at Owatonna Tool Company (OTC), where she met her soulmate, Mike Nelson. They married in 1982. Their marriage was not just a unity of two people; Mike adopted Sara, and Ann gained a bonus daughter, Tina. Together, they made their home in Owatonna and completed their “yours, mine, and ours” family with the birth of their daughter, Kate, in 1983.

Ann worked for the school district, Young Life, and eventually Southeastern Minnesota Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She would say she did not extract teeth, but she did extract money from insurance companies, which is probably harder. She retired in 2021 at the age of 66. Her hard-working nature, generosity, and kindness made her a beloved coworker and friend.

Ann’s faith was strong. She was active in the church and honored to be Godmother and Confirmation Sponsor to many. Ann had several hobbies throughout her life, basket weaving, quilting, and sewing to name a few; but her real “therapy” was weeding. Undoubtedly, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their sports, concerts, plays, and taking them on trips to see curiosities like the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota.

Ann is survived by her husband of 43 years, Mike; daughters: Tina Nelson, Sara (Jim) Connelly, Kate (Michael) Everhart; grandchildren: Brendan Aug, Morgan Aug, Logan Everhart, James Connelly, Laney Everhart and Lucas Everhart; siblings Sandy Fenske, Mark (Marlene) Stadler, and Sharon (Andy Colwell) Langerfeld; sisters-in-law Jan Stadler, Dawn Stadler, and Sonja Stadler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: June, Nick, Tony, Ted, and Ed; and brother-in-law. Dave Fenske. For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.