Twyla Nelson

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Obituary

Twyla Nelson, 83, of Mitchell, SD, died Friday, August 12, 2022, at her home under hospice care. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, August 20, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Rock Creek Cemetery in rural Mitchell.

Twyla Renay Johnson-Nelson was born March 5th, 1939, to Joseph and Augusta (Sannes) Johnson in Mobridge, SD. She slipped the surly bonds of earth on Friday, August 12th, 2022 while at her home under hospice care surrounded by her family in rural Mitchell, SD.

From earliest memories she had a keen awareness of God, a burning love of the Bible, and a consuming desire to serve Him. Even as a small child when asked what she was going to be when she grew up, “a missionary" and "a mother" were the regular answers.

At an early age she began suffering a chronic muscle condition which worsened over the years, causing her discomfort and recurring pain which combined with her sensitive, responsive nature led her to seek the solitude of the Bible, books, and music. She became an accomplished pianist and prolific writer.

After education in small country schools and high schools near home, she married Tillman Nelson on September 8th, 1955, a Bible college student to whom she was drawn because of their mutual love of the Bible and call to Christian service. She joined him in Bible college, and they went on to fulfill her two childhood dreams of being a missionary and a mother. They have thirteen children. They raised their children as they ministered on various mission fields; first in Cuba, where they learned Spanish, then Peru, and throughout Latin and North America. Most of her work was traveling in evangelistic services where she and her husband ministered through preaching, teaching, and music.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tillman; daughters, Tamara June, Twylieta Joy, and Teresa Juana; her parents, “Joe” & “Tootsie”; and her only brother, Vernon.

She is survived by:

10 Children: Tim, Tami, Joyce, Judy, John, Faith, Ted, Johanna, Tala Joeline, and Zahava

41 Grandchildren (plus step-grandchildren): Hannah, Hope, Mosheh, Sarah, Ruthy, Nathan, Sara, Josue, Jabes, Gloriana, Priscila, Esdras, Tael, Josias, Beni, Jessica, Jim, Joel, Palmer, Jamie, Martin, Michael, Mikala, Martika, Denise, Trey, Joseph, Jacob, Noah, Anthony, Aaron, Alex, Joe, Izaak, Emily, Ian, Amy, Reagan, Annabella, Joslyn, Marcus, and Tikvah.

48 Great Grandchildren: Josiah, Markus, Isaiah, Jubilee, Karis, Abigail, Judah, Lydia, Kezia, Brennan, Alanna, Crystalline, Azariah, Cedric, Jedidiah, Andrew, Logan, Levi, Savannah, Nichole, Nadia, Otter, Judah, Kimberly, Azul, Ian, Sergio, Fernando, Amy, Markus, Lucas, Marianna, Benjamin, Katherine, Angeline, Annie, Adrian, Hallie, Harper, Malakai, Raylee, Michael, Kade, Laz, Avery, Brylynn, Mickiah, Clint, Lea, Evelyn, Aiden, Derick, Zelda, Lilah, Theo, Tristan, and Oliva.

The family wishes to thank Avera@Home hospice team for all the love & support that was provided to Twyla and the family.

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