This year, Easter coincides with Nelson’s 90th birthday, and she’s marking the occasion in a unique way. Instead of opting for a glitzy dress or a pastel shirt, Nelson has chosen to celebrate in an Easter Bunny costume. She’s embarked on a journey to various retirement homes across the valley, spreading joy and gifting Krispy Kreme doughnuts to the residents.
“I wanted to spend my birthday visiting one of the nursing homes. If my energy holds out, I would love to bring smiles to people’s faces,” Nelson expressed earlier this week.
Nelson, a lifelong resident of Montana, was born in Eureka and has resided in various places across the valley including Kalispell and Whitefish.
Her journey in caregiving commenced at the age of 13 when she became a caregiver for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, Nelson has felt a deep calling to assist others, particularly the elderly.
Forgoing traditional high school education, Nelson pursued studies at a business college for three months when she was 16. Subsequently, she worked in communications and shorthand for a Presbyterian church in Kalispell.
Throughout her career, she has served as a doctor’s assistant, a dental assistant, and has worked at State Farm. However, her most cherished roles, she noted, have been those spent with older individuals, where she has had the privilege of learning about their rich histories.
Nelson reflected, “There’s a depth of history there that you won’t find within the pages of a textbook.” After retiring at the age of 77, she embraced a life of travel and quality time with her family. When her daughter, Morna, inquired about her plans for her 90th birthday, which coincided with Easter, Nelson’s response was uncomplicated: to don a bunny costume and spread joy.
Morna remarked, “I can’t think of a more fitting representation of her 90 years than embodying the spirit of Easter, adorned in a costume and sharing smiles with others.”
Thus, Easter Sunday became not just a celebration of Nelson’s birthday, but also a day dedicated to acknowledging and uplifting others. Nelson expressed that if she could bring happiness to people, particularly on a special occasion like Easter, then it was all worthwhile — and sometimes, a simple gesture like offering doughnuts could facilitate that joy, she added with a smile.