Anna Nelson, 90, of Volga, passed away of natural causes surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the United Living Community in Brookings.  A private family service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at the First Lutheran Church in Volga at 11:00 A.M.  The service will be live-streamed to the First Lutheran Church of Volga Facebook page as well as recorded and uploaded to the Eidsness Funeral Home website on Saturday afternoon.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Bergh Cemetery in rural Volga.  A time of visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021, at the Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M.  Masks will be required during all services.

Anna Jean Hammer was born on October 22, 1930 at Madison, South Dakota to Emil and Amanda (Eggebraaten) Hammer. Anna was baptized into the Lutheran faith on November 16, 1930 at Prairie Queen Church, Nunda, South Dakota. She was confirmed at Oslo Lutheran Church, located in rural Volga, on July 30, 1944.

Anna grew up on her family's farm at Rutland, South Dakota. After graduating from Rutland High School in 1948, she enrolled at General Beadle State Teacher's College in Madison, where she earned a 1st grade teaching certificate. From 1951 to 1954, Anna taught at Lee School District #19, a one-room country schoolhouse located in rural Lake County.

Anna married Leonard A. Nelson on November 25, 1953 at Oslo Lutheran Church. The couple lived and worked on their family dairy farm located at Volga until Leonard's death on April 10, 1994. Anna continued to live on the farm until seven years ago, when health issues made it necessary for her to move to ULC.

Anna and Leonard had nine children: Janet Sokolowski; Jane, Brookings; Diann, Sioux Falls; Leann, Jerry (Julie), Volga; Kevin (Deb), Sioux Falls; Les (Roxie), Brookings; LaDonna (Jeff) Hieb, Brookings; and Kathy (Barry) Mielke, Brookings.

Anna was preceded in death by her infant daughter Leann, her husband, Leonard, and her daughter Janet. Also preceding her in death were her parents, her brothers Arlin, Dale, Dennis, Dean and Ray; her sister Lois Jorenby; her infant brother Roy; and her infant sister Delores.

In addition to her children, Anna is survived by her sister Shirleen (Bob) Moeller of Watertown, South Dakota. Anna leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Anna took great pleasure in tending her flower garden and was a master quiltmaker. Her greatest joy in life was simply spending time with her grandchildren. She loved to bake special treats for them and made a personalized quilt for each grandchild.