Sandra Sue Nelson

Sandra Sue Nelson was born in Alma, Michigan, on August 9, 1937. She was the younger of two daughters born to Don and Zelma Walsh, and grew up in and out of her father’s florist shop in town. Some of her favorite memories are attached to spending holidays and summers at the cottage her family owned on the shores of Bear Lake. She would tell stories about snowshoeing, ice fishing, and relaxing within sound and sight of the water. Sandy played clarinet and piano as a young girl. She attended Central Michigan University for her undergrad, and earned her Master’s degree through Wayne State University as a medical technologist, then went to work for Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She has loved to learn and talk about science, in particular biology and health, and has always enjoyed mathematics.

In her work at Sparrow Hospital Sandy met a young inhalation therapist named Seldon Nelson, and they married in 1964. Over the course of time and a lot more study, they added Julie Anne, Karen Sue, Laurie Lynn, Michael Edward, and Nancy Jo to their family. Sandra managed Seldon’s medical practice for the majority of their time together. At the same time she served in numerous capacities in her church congregation, including as a leader of the children’s worship organization known as the Primary, the organization for teenage girls known as Young Women’s, and in the adult women’s organization known as the Relief Society. She has also been active in researching and expanding the records of her family history. Later, after Seldon’s 2003 passing, Sandra served an 18-month mission for the LDS church in Malaga, Spain from 2004-2006.

One of the great legacies Sandra leaves behind is her love of natural beauty. She constantly cultivated plants and flowers in and around her home, and her children were taught young to appreciate and notice the beauties of sunrises and sunsets, birds, trees and flowers. One of her all-time favorite activities was walking a beach in her bare feet, letting the water lap around her ankles as her soles sank a little in the wet sand.

Sandra now has 11 grandchildren, aged infancy to 20 years old: Kaiya, Emma, Carter, Brooke, Liam, Caleb, Maya, Haley, Aden, Darby, and Cameron. Sandra had a vibrant love of life and a strong will to live. In her lifetime she survived and recovered from cancer, numerous injuries, cataracts, a brain aneurysm, and finally a stroke. When death came, it found a ferocious opponent, and she fought valiantly. The lessons she has taught us are impossible to count, but we celebrate her immense love of life, her fierce advocacy for her family, her delight in and efforts to enjoy the company of her children, and her faith, love of God, and commitment to doing what is right. She raised up children in faith and hope, and modeled hard work, personal sacrifice, and joy in life’s gifts. She is a mighty daughter, sister, and mother, and we are blessed to have shared her life. We rejoice in her freedom now, from pain and the restrictions of a tired and disabled body, and look forward to the brightness of a future meeting.

Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E. Saginaw St, East Lansing, MI. Visitation 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2017 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the LDS Church’s Humanitarian Aid fund.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On-line condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.