AUSTIN, Texas — Nellie Magdalene (Burmeister) Lundgren, 87, passed away on June 17, 2020 in Austin, Texas. Nellie was born to Gertrude (Hanson) Burmeister and Fred Adam Burmeister on Oct. 14, 1932 in Barton County, Kansas, where she grew up on the farm in Cleveland Township, receiving her 8 years of elementary education at rural Bethel School there, then graduating at Claflin High School as Salutatorian for the class of 1950.
While attending Bethany College, Lindsborg, Nellie met a handsome young man from Texas, Ralph Lundgren. Once they finished college, Ralph persuaded Nellie to move to Texas and they were married on Sept. 5, 1953 in Holyrood, Kan. They were blessed with four sons, David, Randy, Gary and Brian, Nellie and Ralph returned to Elgin, Texas in the late 1950’s so Ralph could help run the family business, the Elgin Cotton Oil Mill. Ralph ran the oil mill with his brother and his sons until his death in 1986.
Nellie Lundren was very involved in the Elgin (Texas) community, the First United Methodist Church, the Community Choir, the Swedish Community and her boys activities. Nellie was very proud of her Swedish and German ancestors and looked forward to attending the Swedish Festival every year.
Nellie loved fashion and was always trying new styles. She was very creative and artistic. This showed in her home, her clothes, and many of her arts and crafts. She loved sewing, knitting and needlework. Nellie and a few other local ladies opened a shop in downtown Elgin in the 1970’s called “The Needle Nook.”
Nellie also enjoyed cooking; for many years sons David and Brian would eat lunch with her Monday through Friday and once her grandson Taylor was old enough he would go over there also. Nellie also loved music and would play the piano when the family gathered at her house. She had a beautiful voice that she shared as a member of the United Methodist Church Choir; she like a little Rod Stewart music as well!
Nellie Lundgren loved to travel and adventure. She took her boys and a few of their friends on vacation in the summer, taking them on trips to the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, Kansas and many other places and sometimes traveled alone.
Nellie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and loving mother-in-law.
Nellie was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law E.O. and Hulda Lundren; her husband Ralph Lundgren; her sons David Lundgren and Gary Lundren; and her brother Ferd (Ferdinand) Burmeister.
She is survived by son Randy and wife Elisa Lundgren; son Brian and Jamie Lundgren and Martha Lundgren; also by her grandsons Rex Lundgren and wife Krista; Taylor Lundgren and wife Jessica; Chad Lundgren; Myles Lundgren; and her granddaughter Alex Lundgren. Nellie is also survived by her brother Paul Burmeister, sisters-in-law Vonnie Burmeister, LaVerne Owens, JoAnn Clayton, and brother-in-law E.O. Lundgren Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation was held on Sunday June 21, 2020 in Elgin, Texas; a celebration of Nellie’s Life was held on June 22, 2020 at the Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home Chapel in Elgin. Interment followed at the Elgin Cemetery.
Nellie was concerned for the welfare of animals. Memorials can be made to Bestrop County Animal Shelter, 589 Cool Water Drive, Bestrop, Texas, 78602 in memory of Nellie Lundgren.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 21, 2020
