Mindy Nelson

Melinda “Mindy” Nelson, age 61 of St. Charles, formerly of Elburn, passed away at home, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, Saturday, April 14, 2018.
She was born April 5, 1957, in Aurora, IL, to proud parents, Ancil and Vivian (Spurgin) Benge.
Mindy grew up in Elburn and attended Kaneland Schools. She was blessed with a son early in life and welcomed home Joshua Benge in 1974. Later she would complete her education and attend the Copley School of Nursing. Her family grew to include Stormy and Lindsey made the family complete 1987.
Mindy and Victor Nelson were united in marriage on January 25, 1985 in the midst of a snow storm. It had snowed so bad, it took a loader to clear a path to even get out of the driveway, but nothing was going to get in the way of their new beginning. They made their home on Pouley Rd. for a time before moving to St. Charles. Eventually the whole family settled in Elburn in 1990 to help take care of her parents. Other stops included West Chicago for ten years, then Maple Park but came back home to St. Charles in 2016.
Mindy worked as a nurse in the ER and Maternity Ward at Community Hospital in Geneva. She would also work for Dr. David Roble and as a private nurse. Mindy dedicated countless hours in the employ of Elburn Ambulance as an EMT and Paramedic.
Although Mindy worked in life and death situations, her most important position was “Grandma”. It was a lifelong vocation and one she cherished as she watched her grandkids grow. She mothered many who were not biologically hers; the neighborhood kids were as welcome in her home as her own. Mindy may not have been able to carry a tune in a bucket, but it didn’t stop her from “making a joyful noise” while singing to her grandchildren, who loved every note. When she wasn’t singing, she was lounging in the pool, her favorite place to be. The family made millions of memories in Spooner, WI, at the family cabin where they fished, swam and explored the woods while dodging skunks and bee stings. Mindy asked for nothing, but was the first to give to those in need. She had a caregiver’s heart and was generous to a fault. Though she left too soon, it wasn’t before she left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Victor Nelson; two children: Stormy Benge and Lindsey (Marcos) Nelson-Hernandez; eight grandchildren: Kristopher, Emily, Noel, Maggie, Aiden, Bella, Joslynn, and Jackson; five sisters: Mary (Bill) Hewitt, Sue (Tom) Olsen, Vivian (Grant Bedow) Thomas, Julie (Terry) Whittington-Mann and Cindy (Scott) Randall; one brother-in-law, Jack (Delores) Nelson; many nieces, nephews and a countryside of friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ancil and Vivian Benge; two brothers: Harry and Donald Benge; One brother-in-law, Gerald Thomas; one son, Josh Benge and her mother and father-in-law, Maxine and Orrin Nelson.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Private family burial will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mindy’s name. Checks may be made to the “Melinda Nelson Memorial Fund” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find her full life story.

A memorial service to follow at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Private family burial will follow at a later date