Laura Nelson

** TO VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE, CLICK WEBLINK ABOVE AND IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY START  **Laura Nelson, age 97 of Belle Fourche, died Thursday April 3rd, 2014 at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center. The funeral service will be held 11am Thursday, April 10th 2014 at St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche.  There will be no visitation.  Interment will take place in Pine Slope Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are with Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Laura Verda Marcotte was born January 6, 1917 in St. Joe, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Albert and Lena (Hamel) Marcotte.  In 1918, Laura moved with her family to the Sturgis area where the family settled in the Pleasant Valley area.  Laura graduated from Sturgis High School in 1935. On July 22, 1936 Laura was united in marriage to Roy Nelson in Rapid City.  Following their marriage the couple settled in Belle Fourche.  Together they owned and operated the Gambles Hardware Store in Belle Fourche for many years.  They retired in 1975.  Laura was always a very active woman.  She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church where she served in many capacities throughout the years.  She enjoyed traveling, hunting and camping in her younger days, as well as serving on the hospital auxiliary.  Laura also served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts.  In addition, one of her favorite tasks was helping with the American Field Service in placing foreign students in local high schools. Laura was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She will be missed greatly, as she was the “special piece” that made life complete for her family. Laura is survived by her son, Don (Becky) Nelson of Aladdin WY; 3 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Sharon; son, Stanley; infant sister; and 2 brothers, Lloyd and Alden Marcotte.  Date of Birth January 6, 1917 St. Joe, Kansas Date of Death April 3, 2014 Belle Fourche, South Dakota   Funeral Service 11:00 A.M. – Thursday – April 10th, 2014 St. James Lutheran Church  Belle Fourche, SD   Officiant Pastor Jeff Otterman   Special Music “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Come to Jesus” Debra Leverington, soloist Hymn – “How Great Thou Art” Ellie Lawton, pianist   Interment 9:30 A.M. – Thursday – April 10th, 2014 Pine Slope Cemetery Belle Fourche, South Dakota