Memorial Service for Nova Nelson,76, of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, South Dakota. Officiating will be Pastor Patrick Jenkins. Organist will be Michelle Greseth and soloist will be Pastor Patrick Jenkins. Urn bears will be Nova's grandchildren, Clay Finnesand, Crystal Hoffman, Naomi Nelson, Miles Nelson, Britt Wickett, Brock Wickett, Kendra Benedetto, Erica Kilgore and Hadley Meyer. Honorary Urn bearers will be Nova's great grandchildren, Cinder and Brinley Hoffman, Eli Nelson, Truman Kilgore, and the Staff and Residents of Countryside Inn Assisted Living Center, Rosholt, South Dakota. Inurnment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota. There will be visitation on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD with a Prayer Service at 6:30 P.M. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Nova Lee Opsal was born on July 31, 1942 to Arlette (Johnson) and Maurice Opsal in Sisseton, South Dakota, the second of six children. Nova was baptized in the Lutheran faith.  Nova attended school in Sisseton. Nova was united in marriage to Truman Nelson on January 18, 1959 in Sisseton. They lived on the family farm south of Sisseton. They were blessed with four wonderful children. Nova worked as a clerk at Sisseton Livestock for forty years for three generations of Hellwig's, until her health required her to retire. Nova enjoyed bowling and golf, both of which she missed so much when she was unable to do them. Nova was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school. She was a 4-H Leader and a member of Friendly Neighbors Extension Homemakers Club. She was a long time member of the Hills & Valley Riding Club. She loved to sew, embroider, and garden which she learned from her father. Nova always worried about her family and felt it was her responsibility to care for everyone. She was an awesome cook and entertained at many family get-togethers. They recently celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary with their family. Nova was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and fought long and hard to live a normal life. She was able to live at home with the wonderful care of her husband until October 2016 when she moved to Countryside Inn Assisted Living Center, Rosholt, South Dakota. Nova passed away on February 20, 2019 at Countryside Inn Assisted surround by her loving family.

Nova is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Truman of Sisseton, SD; four children, Liz (Calvin) Finnesand of Peever, SD, Ken (Bonnie) Nelson of Circle, MT, Kris (Matt) Wickett of Brandon, SD, and Kathy (Paul) Meyer of Rosholt, SD; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her step mother, Vivian Opsal of Sisseton, SD; four step grandchildren and twelve step great-grandchildren; three sisters, Barbara (Richard) Gray of Westminster, CO, Sharon (Merle) Schmaus of St. Paul, MN and Cheryl (Jim) Long of New Effington, SD; two sisters-in-law, Carol Jean Martenson of Sisseton, SD and Judy Opsal of St. Michael, MN.

Nova was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Duane and Arlyn Opsal.