Mildred D. Nelson

On November 21, 2012 at 10 pm, Mildred Doris Nelson passed peacefully over to the other side. Born in Blue Lake California on January 24, 1920, to Christian Thomsen and Irene Beaver Thomsen, Mildred came to Hoopa at age five. She came with her mother by a horse drawn wagon over the Bair Road. An enrolled Hupa Tribal Member, Mildred’s grandmother Molly Ashwood (white name) came from the Hupa Village of Matildin in Hoopa. Her grandfather Capt. Jacob Beaver was an officer in the U.S Army stationed at Fort Gaston in Hoopa. After he mustered out of the Military they married and moved to Blue Lake where they raised a large family and developed a string of hotels in the region.

Mildred was Valedictorian in the first graduating class of Hoopa High School in 1936. As the top student she was tested for an academic scholarship by Stanford University of Palo Alto California. Not certain of the test results, the University tested her a second time with the same results showing she had an IQ of 165. Because of this the University awarded Mildred a full ride Scholarship to Stanford. Not choosing to attend Stanford, she instead married her lifelong sweetheart Byron Nelson, Sr. and attended and graduated from Oakland Business College in Oakland, California. During World War II they both worked in the ship yards in the bay area. She worked as a Bookkeeper and he as an Electric Welder. At the conclusion of WW II they immediately returned to the Hoopa Valley.

Returning to the Hoopa Valley, Mildred assisted her husband in building their home on his allotment overlooking the Hoopa Valley while raising four children.

A talented musician and artist Mildred learned to play the piano at a very young age and she also excelled on the accordion and organ. She played these instruments well into her life until an arthritic condition prevented her from continuing. Her water colors depicting the local area can still be found on the walls of her home. The many books lining the walls of her home is also a testament to her dedication to been an avid reader.

Mildred is preceded in death by her husband Byron Nelson, Sr and her brother Ernest Thomsen. she is survived by her four children; Marilyn Nelson, Byron Nelson Jr., Ronald Nelson and Gary Nelson. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Byron Nelson, III., Josiah Nelson, Raquel Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Monica Nelson Witte, Marlaina Nelson Steil, Kimberly Hardiman, Janice Jones, Randall Dodge, Darin Marshall, Sr., Vicky Dodge Ricky Dodge and two nephews Ernest Oren Thomsen, Christian Thomsen and a niece Claire Thomsen Coder. Mildred is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and many grand nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation at Paul’s Chapel on Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 3-7pm at Paul’s Chapel, 1070 H Street, Arcata, California. A graveside service will be the next day, Friday, November 30, 2012, at 1:00 pm, at the Nelson Family Home in Hoopa, California.

To leave messages and condolences for the family please visit www.paulschapel.com Care is under the direction of Paul’s Chapel, Arcata, California.