Baan Jean Lee Nelson was born June 18, 1959, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Robert Howard, Sr. and Marilyn Arlene (Hayhurst) Eastman. She was baptized as an infant at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and confirmed into the Christian faith at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Baan grew up in Minneapolis and came to live with Carol and Arlen Hayhurst. She attended school through the eighth grade at Mount Calvary and St. Peters Lutheran Church, and finished school at Benson High School. She married Steven Ole Nelson July 8th, 1978, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Together they shared 30 years of marriage. Baan was known for her love of her children and grandchildren. Family and friends will always remember Baan as someone who always thought of family, friends and students ahead of herself. She loved and treasured each and every day she could be at school and be with her students. Baan served as a 4-H leader for Swift Falls Winners, a Sunday School teacher and was a member of WELCA at her church. Baan was called from this life on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Benson, Minnesota. She attained the age of 49 years, 10 months and 21 days. Baan is survived by her husband, Steve of Swift Falls; her children: Keith (Tracy) Borgschatz of Zumbrota, Thor (Heather) Nelson of Montevideo, Troy (Michelle) Nelson of Clontarf, and Trista (Justin) Larson of Kerkhoven; nine grandchildren: Kayla, Zach & Alexis Stensrud, Hannah Gallagher, Soren, Maren & Gillian Nelson, Tanner Nelson and Cadence Larson; her grandmother, Connie Eastman; a brother, Robert (Diane) Eastman; a sister, Becky (Joel) Trebesch; fourteen nieces and nephews; and seven great nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, Robert and Marilyn.
