Alice Marie Nelson passed away on December 3, 2008 at the age of 98 years and eight months. A funeral service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church on Monday December 8 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Mapleton. Landkamer-Johnson-Boman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Centenary United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice.

Alice was born on April 8, 1910, in Webaux, MT to Frank and Kathryn (Webb) Hammaker. The family homesteaded in Montana until years of drought conditions drove them from their land. The family of eight moved to the Mapleton area in 1918 and Alice was graduated by Mapleton High School in 1927. She attended Normal Courses Teachers College and taught in rural schools. She went back to school in 1932 to take Intermediate Course Classes.

Leslie Nelson and Alice Hammaker were married in 1940 and they farmed near Mapleton until 1964 when they moved to Mankato where they were employed.

Alice is survived by daughters, Shirley (Jerry) Mans Mathiowetz of rural Morgan and Sharon (Bill) Smith of Brooklyn Center, five grandchildren, Carol, Lyle, Jon, Susan, Steven, and six great-grandchildren, Josh, Jenny, Amanda, Laura, Alex, Sarah. She was preceded in death by husband Leslie, son-in-law James Mans, sisters, Miriam and Irene, and brothers, Harold, Keith, and Glenn.

Alice will be remembered for her love of children and young people, love of nature and family photography, and her generous card sending.