Nell M. Gathje

The funeral service for Nell Marie Gathje, 87, will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday  (October  4 , 2023) at  St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chatfield, MN with Rev. Peter Haugen officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Pleasant Grove, MN.  Nell, a beloved Mother and Grandmother, went to her heavenly home on (September 28, 2023) after a long illness of Dementia.  

Nell Marie Plude was born on August 7, 1936 to Elmer and Margaret (Smith) Plude.   She grew up in Dayton, MN and graduated from Elk River High School in 1954. She attended nurses training in Rochester, MN and worked as a nurse early in her marriage. Nell was married on April 28,1956 in Rochester, MN to Paul Gathje. Following their marriage the couple lived in rural Pleasant Grove Township, where they farmed. Paul was owner and operator of Paul Gathje Auction Service.  Nell enjoyed hanging auctions bills and clerking the auctions.

Nell was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chatfield, MN where participated in Ladies Aid.  She enjoyed relationships with family and friends.  Her greatest joy in life were her children and making memories with her grandchildren.  She belonged to Pleasant Time club, a group of neighborhood women. These were her long-time friends, who always supported each other.  She took pride in her flower gardens.

The Gathje Family would like to thank Nell’s Caregiver, Marion Briggs, Home Instead Health Care and staff at Season’s Hospice for Nell’s wonderful and compassionate nursing.

Nell is survived by three daughters and son  -  Mary Jo (Tim) Lavin of Sheridan, WY, Karen Inglebret of Rochester, MN, Lisa (Greg) Campbell of Stewartville, MN, and Andy (Nora) Gathje of rural Stewartville; grandchildren –  Sam (Brady) Lorenzen, Jessie (Nick) Riley, CJ (Amanda) Inglebret, Alex (Maggie) Campbell and Robby (Karlie) Campbell, Andrew Gathje, Bennett (Megan) Gathje, and Henry Gathje; great-grandchildren - Lenny, Lakin, Liam, Westin, Quentin,  Emmerson, Lilly, Greyson,  Harrison, Mia, Noah and Theo.  Her siblings, Dave (Jan) Plude, Joan (Ronnie) Lehn, Mark Plude and Myles (Lynn) Plude, all of Elk River, MN. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister - Eunice Huffer, 2 brothers - Clifford Mehelich and Paul Plude, Step – Mother- Gladys Plude and an infant daughter – Esther Ann.   

A time of visitation will take place from 5 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday (October  3, 2023)  at Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville and 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on  Wednesdaty morning. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Nell are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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