Colleen Ann Nessler

Colleen Ann (Vetter) Nessler, 83, passed away on January 3, 2021 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato, Minnesota. A private graveside service for the family will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, St James, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Colleen was born at home in Ormsby, Minnesota on June 14, 1937 to Laverne and Mildred (Beck) Vetter. She attended school in St James and was in the Class of '55. A lifelong member of Augustana Lutheran Church, she married Duane "Duke" Nessler on October 14, 1953. They were married for 63 years and had four children. In her early life, Colleen worked at Swan's Cafe, The Manor, and Hageman Drug before starting her career as the receptionist for Scherr-Tumico. Colleen was the first person you saw when you walked in the building. She worked at S-T Industries for 30 years and retired in 1999. Throughout Colleen's life she loved attending the sporting events of her children and grandchildren. Whether it was football, basketball, baseball, fastpitch softball, hometown volleyball, gymnastics, or any other time there was an opportunity to watch her family play, you could always find Colleen in the stands. When a game was close, you might spot her pacing the hallway or behind the bleachers, silently cheering on her kids. Colleen worked tirelessly to care for and support her loved ones. Her kitchen table was the central place for family and friends to gather, where a pot of coffee was always on along with a heaping assortment of homemade goodies. You'd have to watch your step, tho, as there were usually a couple of her beloved grandchildren by her side. Colleen was a gracious, kind, and gentle person who loved spending time with family, especially at her lake home in Osakis. Ever prepared no matter where she was, she always had on-hand Kleenex, Avon lip balm, a stick of Trident, or anything else you might need. Colleen was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1999. She was cared for in a variety of healthcare facilities beginning in 2009 and had resided at Oak Terrace since April 2015. Colleen remained strong in her faith in Jesus through her many ups and downs. The Lord's Prayer was always on her lips and her favorite hymns always in her heart. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," forever her song, will be sung in remembrance of Colleen as the fond memories of her linger on. Colleen is survived by her children, Jeff (Vicki) Nessler, Mankato; Deb Style, St James; Randy Nessler, Bemidji; Dan Nessler, North Mankato; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sisters Marilynn (Byron) Epland, Hugo; and, Sandra Resick, New Hope; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Colleen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter-in-law Kari Nessler (Randy); and her brother, John Vetter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Colleen's name to: - Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 - Augustana Lutheran Church, PO Box 151, St. James - Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (please indicate on your check's memo line / online that your donation is for the Mankato Hospice Program in memory of Colleen Nessler). Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081