Helen Arlene Twito Nelson

Helen Arlene Nelson, 98, Lake Mills, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025, one week short of her 99th birthday. Her memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Schott Funeral Home–Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills. Interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Scarville. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Lake Mills Historical Society: c/o Regina Adams, 302 S. Harrison St., Lake Mills.
On July 3, 1926, Helen Arlene (Twito) Nelson was born at home in Lake Mills to Alpha and Hans Twito. Arlene graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1944 and then went on to attend St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. She graduated with a degree in biology in 1948.
Arlene married Rudolph “Rudy” Nelson from Scarville, at Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, Sept. 5, 1948. They lived in Iowa City, where Rudy completed his Master’s Degree in political science in 1951.
That same year, Rudy and Arlene moved to Austin, Minn., where Rudy was employed by Hormel Foods Corporation. Throughout their years in Austin, both Rudy and Arlene were active in their community, as well as the St. Olaf Lutheran Church.
Some of Arlene’s civic organizations included Republican Women, Y’s Menettes, Women’s Federated, and JC Wives. Arlene was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. She and Rudy were founding members of the Sons of Norway Lodge in Austin.
After retirement, Arlene and Rudy moved to Arlene’s maternal grandparents farm outside of Lake Mills, which they lovingly restored. They were active in the Sons of Norway Lodge in Lake Mills and Arlene participated in the group that helped create the Norwegian-American Monument. She was also in the Lake Mills Fine Arts Guild and the Historical Society. Arlene loved to travel and spent many happy hours playing golf and bridge.
Arlene is survived by her two daughters: Deborah Tsuruta and Cynthia Nelson; brother-in-law, KarLyle Nelson (Lois); niece, Ann Hinman (Mark); son-in-law, Ryoji Tsuruta; grandchildren: Akane (Seren), Kai (Heather), and Koh (Nora); great-grandchildren: Remy Rin, Runa, Haakon, Alma, and Ailo; as well as several extended relatives and friends.
Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Alpha Twito; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Miler and Myrtle Nelson; husband, Rudy Nelson; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Quinten and LuVerna Kingland.