Kristie was born on February 12, 1957 to Robert and Darlene Nelson in Wheaton, Minnesota. During grade school the family moved to Cokato, Minnesota. She attended and was confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. During high school Kristie accepted Christ as Savior at a Youth for Christ event.
Kristie graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1975. During her senior year she met her future husband, John Martinson. They were married on October 23, 1976. They made their home in Cokato. Kristie worked at the Tri-Town Grocery Store in Cokato until it closed around 1980. After having her children, she saw the need for daycare in the community, and fulfilled that need for several families in the area. She enjoyed taking care of young children which eventually led to her position as a special education paraprofessional at Cokato Elementary School, which she held until her death. Kristie truly enjoyed working with young children. Her overwhelming love, kindness, devotion, and patience with children shone through every day she walked into the building.
Kristie supported her kids with all of their activities growing up. She loved attending all of their events and rarely missed a game. She was proud of each of them and the careers they chose. The last few years her greatest love has been being involved with her grandchildren whether watching them at school events or taking care of them at her home. Every summer she had them over 2-3 times a week, watching them grow and enjoy what they could do at Grandma’s house, whether playing with all the outdoor activities, doing craft projects, or swimming in the pool.
Kristie enjoyed long road trips to Yellowstone, San Diego, Arizona, Washington, Florida, and many National Parks in between. She was the best cook/baker with some of the family favorites being chicken lasagna, caramel rolls, zucchini bread and cupcakes, and her canned pickles. She was also an ardent fan of the Vikings, Twins and the Wild and spent a lot of time following them.
In late September, Kristie started having some health issues so she was unable to carry on her job at school. In late November, she was diagnosed with cancer and chose to be at home with support through hospice and family caring for her. She was comforted by many visits from family and friends during this time. Kristie passed away the morning of January 12, 2023, with loved ones surrounding her.
Kristie is survived by her husband, John, daughters, Leah of Dassel, and Amy of Cokato, son Erik, daughter in-law Erin, grandchildren Jordan, Averie, Madelyn, Gavin and Griffin of St. Michael. She is survived by her mother Darlene Nelson of Cokato, brothers Kevin (Kris) Nelson of Darwin, Kim Nelson of Howard Lake, Kelvin (Wendy) Nelson of Cokato, and Ken (Heidi) Nelson of Willmar and sister Karla (Ryan) Zieman of Hutchinson, and also many nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Nelson.
A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 23, 2023 at Highland Community Church in Cokato. Visitation will take place from 4-7 on Sunday, January 22, 2023 and continue 1 hour prior to services on Monday, all at the Church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com