Ana Jo Nelson, 82, Minot, died Sunday, October 14, 2018 in a Minot hospital.

Ana Jo was born December 18, 1935 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Alvin and Vesta (Watkins) Arrington. As a child during the gasoline rationing years of WW-2, she traveled with her migrant farm-working family in a covered wagon as they journeyed to their various work locations in the mid-west.  Her family eventually settled in southern California.  She attended school in San Diego and graduated from high school in 1953.

Ana Jo joined the working world in high school as a waitress and cook at a Mexican Restaurant.  After high school she remained in the food industry and was the manager of a donut shop for a number of years and also worked in the public school system as a baker.

In 1961, she offered a steak to young man in the Marine Corps, Clifford Nelson, Sr.  It was prepared perfectly and the rest is history.  They were united in marriage on September 1, 1962 in Garden Grove, CA.  They made their home in California for the next ten years until moving to Minot in 1972.

Ana Jo was a wonderful mother and an eager friend to anyone in need.  There was always an open door to the Nelson house and food was always on the table.  Her homemade from scratch enchiladas and tacos were second to none and enjoyed by many throughout the years.  She provided daycare to many families in the neighborhood and a helping hand to those in tougher situations at home.  Ana Jo also owned and operated Jo's Café and the Hockey Stop Café for many years in the community.

She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church of Minot, Minot Skating Club and was a past member of the Minot Moose Lodge.  Ana Jo enjoyed reading and has quilted for many years.  She will be missed deeply by all who knew her as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Ana is survived by her loving husband of 56 years Clifford Nelson Sr., Minot; children, Jaunie Nelson, Buena Park, CA, Clifford 'Skip' Nelson, Jr., Thor (Jessica) Nelson, and Kathy (David) Myers, all of Minot, ND; grandchildren, Hannah, Thor, Odin and Rhone Nelson and Leif Nelson, all of Minot ND; brother, Jack (Carol) Arrington, Anacortes, WA; sister, Patricia (Richard) Spaulding, San Diego, CA; brother, Floyd Arrington, OK; along with a number of nieces and nephews.

Ana was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Dan Ray Arrington; and brother, John Dale Arrington.

Celebration of Ana's Life:  11:00 a.m. October 19, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
To view a livestream of Ana Jo's service copy and paste the following link into your preferred web browser to view: http://www.bethanylutheranminot.org/code/
Interment:  Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot
Visitation:  Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Minot Public Schools Music Departments.

Ana Jo Nelson Flowers