Danna Collette Nelson of Blaine, Minnesota and Helsinki, Finland died on Monday, August 15th 2022. Born on February 15, 1996 to loving parents Dan and Candy, she graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in 2014 as a trombone major. She studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, but she felt a pull to Finland - a country she was fascinated with throughout high school. At 19 she was accepted to the prestigious Sibelius Academy, so she packed her bags and moved to Helsinki. She lived her dream studying and working as a trombonist in Finland for five years, playing bass trombone in orchestras around the country and soloing with the Finnish Radio Symphony. She also became a marathon runner.
Danna was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on Friday, April 13, 2018. She was treated in Finland for two years, and cared for by a huge network of friends, her “adopted” Finnish families, and her parents. She never lost her adventurous spirit during this time, traveling extensively around the world and regularly jumping into a freezing cold sea-pool in Helsinki. In 2020, she moved home to Blaine, MN to be with her beloved parents and received care from the Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.
In her last year, she acted as a fierce advocate for Compassion & Choices Minnesota, an organization which lobbies for the legalization of medical aid in dying. She was passionate about sharing her story, and she inspired both her loved ones and thousands of social media followers. Danna loved blasting music on her speakers, eating candy, hearing her cat Stachie purr, making crafts, visiting bakeries and fancy restaurants, and sitting out on the deck with her parents. She loved everything she did with her parents. She had about seven “best friends.” No one could be in Danna’s presence without smiling. She navigated life with exceptional maturity, grace, a goofy laugh, and an open heart. She is deeply missed.
Danna is survived by her parents, Candy and Dan Nelson; siblings, Brian (Shannon), Chad Estevez, Corissa Estevez, Connie Reddig; nieces, Taylor (Casey) Newman, Lauren (Robert) Seiberlich, Mikayla Estevez, Ruth Nelson and Norah Nelson; nephew, Mason Estevez; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family and friends.
Preceded in death by her grandparents, Kenneth and Gladys Nelson ; grandma, Anne Seiler; uncles, Dean Seiler, Gary Rohweder; cousin, Danielle Seiler.
Celebration of Life Service will be 2 pm Tuesday, August 23, with a gathering time from 12 noon until 2 pm at Gearhart Funeral Home – 11275 Foley Blvd. NW., Coon Rapids, MN.
Inurnment Morningside Memorial Gardens.
