Verla Mae (Mettling) Nelson, age 74, Cambridge passed away April 14, 2026 at The Lodge of Taylors Falls. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 25th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Verla was born October 28, 1951 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Russell and Fern (Larson) Mettling. She grew up in the North Branch, Stark and Fish Lake area and graduated from North Branch High School. Verla then attended two years of business school. She owned and operated Pease Cafe in Pease, Minnesota. Verla enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, watching birds, rooting for the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves, and entertaining family and friends. Overall, Verla loved spending time with her grandchildren who she loved deeply and equally. Verla looked forward to all the big family get-togethers with her brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.
Verla is survived by daughters, Lisa (Jade) West and Jeanna Thompson; siblings, Leon (Cindy) Mettling, Steven (Bonnie) Mettling, Janice (Scott) Anderson, Brenda (Kent) Wicklund, Rodney (Sherry) Mettling, Mike (Angie) Mettling and Carla (Corey) Moen; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janet (Gary) Palmquist and Mary (Tom) Walstrom; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and by many other relatives and friends. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her partner of 26 years, Bob Olson; son, Joel Nelson; daughter, Renae Carpenter; granddaughter, Chole Ojeda; and siblings, Craig Mettling and Cindy Mettling-Straka.
I am so sad to hear that we lost Verla. I met her when she was 16 and we have stayed in touch all these years. She was such a strong woman and she certainly was tested over and over. My Daughter Wendy and I will miss her very much but we are so happy with her Heavenly reunion with Craig, Cindy, Renae, Joey, Sweet Fern , Russ and Bob.
I look forward to seeing them all again as well.
God Bless you, Verd!
Verla made the town of Pease a better place. Her Cafe was so inviting and her cooking so delightful and she always left a slice of banana bread and a slice of orange on your breakfast plate free of charge. Her meals were so satisfying and delicious. Also, it was exciting to see what beautiful paintings Renée hung on the walls of the Cafe. They are very much missed. They will be in my heart forever.
We’re so sorry to hear that Verla passed away. We consider ourselves grateful to have had her in our lives. Verla was always there for a good conversation and laughs and she was always there for the grandkids.
Comfort to know you are no longer suffering. My thoughts that you are now surrounded by many. It eases the pain of the of your absence.
I love you Mom, and you know until the end. We had so many adventures together. My boys will miss your wit and no-nonsense attitude. You are in heaven with dear family brings a sense of peace. You made your mark on this world now you can guide us from above. love you.