Martha Nilson

Martha Nilson, age 90, of Sartell, formerly of Upsala, passed away at her home on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala, MN, with Rev. Trisha Jorgenson officiating.Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery in Upsala.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 19th and 10:00 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday all at the church.

Martha Soltis was born on May 2, 1923, in South Elmdale, Minnesota, the daughter of George & Mary (Kohanowski) Soltis who were immigrants from Slovakia. She cherished her Slovakian heritage and culture. She attended country school and graduated from Holdingford High School.She continued her education at St. Cloud Teachers College and St. Cloud State University where she received her Bachelors Degree in Education.She began her teaching career in Isanti, MN.On June 15, 1946, she was united in marriage to Roger Nilson at South Elmdale Congregational Church.The couple made their home near Upsala where they farmed and raised four children.Martha returned to teaching in Holdingford and Upsala after her children started school.She enjoyed cooking, baking, entertaining with lots of food, camping, and crafts.The couple had a booth at the Little Falls Annual Craft Fair for many years.Martha especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala and served in various capacities in the church.Martha will always be remembered for her endless energy, her dedicated teaching, her zest for life, and her great love of people.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Nancy (Jim) Koetter of Little Falls, MN, Randy (Sheila) Nilson of Burtrum, MN, Betty (Mark) Craft of Princeton, MN and Rick (Lori) Nilson of St. Cloud, MN; 12 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren and over 300 nieces and nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, George & Mary Soltis; husband, Roger Nilson (November 1, 2012); and 12 siblings.