Erleen Ann Nelson

Erleen Ann Nelson, age 65, passed away on May 5, 2025, at The Cedars of Austin after a battle with a rare form of early onset Alzheimer’s. Erleen Ann Runquist was born August 18, 1959, in Austin, Minnesota to Erling and Alyce Runquist. Erleen was raised as an only child by her mother after her father’s death at the age of 2. Erleen graduated from Austin High School in 1977. She graduated from Austin Community College in 1979. She met Wendell Nelson in the spring of 1979, and they were married on November 3, 1979. Erleen then attended the Austin Vocational/Technical School and graduated from the Radio/TV Broadcasting program. She worked for KQAQ radio for a short time. In 1982 Erleen and Wendell moved to New Brighton, MN. She worked for Spectrum TV and the Lutheran Church Board of Pensions in Minneapolis. In 1985 she and Wendell moved to Tyler, Texas. There she held various jobs and was involved with the creation of a new live stage theater company. She was active on and off the stage. Erleen and Wendell then moved to Panama City, Florida in 1987. In April of 1992, Erleen and Wendell welcomed a daughter, Halla, into the world. Erleen continued her education and graduated from Florida State University in 1999, with a BA in accounting. She worked various accounting jobs while in Florida. In her spare time, she kept busy doing theater acting and directing. In 2000 Erleen, Wendell and Halla moved back to Austin. She got her CPA license and worked for CLA until she retired in 2018. She continued her involvement in theater by acting and performing in musical pit orchestras. She played flute and piccolo with the Austin Symphony Orchestra as well as other groups in the area. She also sang with Edition II and church choir and was also a hand bell ringer. Erleen always enjoyed antiquing and searching for her next Barbie doll to add to her collection, traveling and spending time at the lake.

Survivors include her husband, Wendell; daughter, Halla Nelson; sister-in-law, Lisa Larew; niece, Mary Jane Highum; brother, John (Luine) Runquist; cousins, Lois (Solon) Purdham-Kidane, David (Mary) Purdham, and Cindy Purdham. She was preceded in death by her parents, Erling and Alyce Runquist; grandparents, Elbert and Anna Purdham; sister, Mary Jane Smith; brother, Jim (Kay) Runquist; uncle, Rev. Charles (Alice) Purdham; cousin, Rev. James Purdham; nieces, Ann Richardson and Barb Richardson-Bell; and longtime family friend Jean Miller

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Austin Symphony Orchestra or Summerset Theatre at Riverland Community College. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements.