Margaret Evelyn (Peggy) Nelson passed away peacefully early Friday morning, March 26, 2021 at the Home Sweet Home on Florian memory care in Mesa, AZ. She was born to Ralph and Von (Edwards) Nelson on March 28, 1947 in Detroit Lakes MN.

Peggy attended grade school at District 32 and graduated from Frazee High School with the class of 1964. She went on to attend the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She married Paul Maki on September 7, 1968. They lived on the Iron Range where Peggy taught school in Virginia and Cloquet.

After divorcing in 1973, and an unusually snowy winter, Peggy moved South to Arizona saying she never wanted to spend another winter in Minnesota! And she didn’t. Pursuing her sense of adventure, she lived in Arizona, California, Puerto Rico and back to Arizona. Her favorite occupation was teaching English as a Second Language. Many of her students have stayed in contact and have remained her friend for many years.

She was exceptionally happy when she met Robert (Bob) Santo. They spent a number of years in Puerto Rico which Peggy reminisced about fondly. They were married in February 2003 in Scottsdale, AZ. Bob passed away in January 2014.

After years of battling dementia, she is now at peace.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bob and brother, David as well as numerous other relatives.

She is survived by her brother, D. Paul Nelson (Barbara), Sherrill’s Ford, NC, and sisters, Beverly Dietrich (Verne Hejlik), Mesa, AZ, and Vonne Goudreau, Kalispell, MT and sister-law, Arlene Nelson, Frazee, MN. Numerous nieces and nephews, especially nieces Laurie Dietrich and Brenda Schwartz (Roy) who held a special in her heart and who along with Bev, provided her much love and caring when she needed it the most. She also leaves a number of step children.

Memorial/Celebration of Life is pending and will be held at a later date in Minnesota. The family suggests that any memorial contributions should be made to your local Hospice or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

“You are always loved and never forgotten. Rest easy.”