Nellie Dierenfeld

Nellie Bernice (Bruxvoort) Dierenfeld, age 103, passed away at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, Minnesota on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Nellie was born on September 14, 1922, to Henry and Lucy (Meyer) Bruxvoort on the family farm and was the second of their five children. She spent her entire life in the Chandler, Minnesota area and attended the Chandler Public School until the 10th grade when she left to help care for her newborn sister.

On November 21, 1941, she married Wallace Dierenfeld at the home of her parents. They farmed south and east of Chandler. During the remodeling of their farm home, she was responsible for serving many meals to the carpenters. In those busy years, in addition to raising four children, Nellie tended a large garden and canned many fruits and vegetables. She took pride in keeping the outside yard looking neat, cared for a large flock of chickens, and packed many cartons of eggs to sell in town. She also enjoyed her rock garden and perennial flowers.

When Wallace and Nellie retired from the farm in 1982, they built a new home in town. For thirteen years, they would take their camper to Dallas, Texas, during the winter months where they volunteered at the Wycliffe Headquarters. Wallace passed away in 2012, and Nellie later became a resident at the Edgebrook Care Center.

She was a lifelong member of the Chandler Reformed Church where she taught Sunday School, and catechism, was the church librarian, and was active in women’s groups.

She loved her family, was an avid letter writer and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and writing poetry.

Nellie is survived by three of her children: Rodney (Carolyn) Dierenfeld of Willmar, MN, Nancy (Philip) Bach of Orange City, IA, and Barbara (Dodd) Franklin of Cresco, IA. In addition, she is survived by her daughter-in-law Cheryl Dierenfeld of Nicollet, MN, a sister Frances Veldkamp of Edgerton, MN, a sister-in-law Henrietta Bruxvoort of Chandler, MN; nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Wallace, his parents and siblings, her parents, two sisters and their husbands and her brother, Nellie was preceded in death by her son David Dierenfeld, and granddaughter Cindy Dierenfeld.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Chandler Reformed Church

Following a private family graveside service, there will be a memorial service at the Chandler Funeral Home on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 2:00PM followed by a time of visitation and light refreshments.