Corrine "Cork", "Corky" (Nelson) Lundberg

Corrine “Cork”, “Corky” (Nelson) Lundberg was born in Portland Oregon on August 2, 1933, the second of seven children born to Rev. Adolf (Ed) and Sigrid Nelson. The world lost one of its brightest lights when Cork passed into the next phase of her eternal journey on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at age 92.

She was an absolute force of life, an extraordinary woman who touched all who knew her deeply, making each of us better and wiser because of her presence in our lives.

As a minister’s daughter with six siblings, Cork learned early the details of raising children and running a large household where her focus was always serving others. After early years in Portland, Cork’s family moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where she graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1951 (valedictorian) and from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1955 (summa cum laude), with double majors in English and Latin and minor in Biology.

She was a dedicated educator, serving students in multiple districts. Cork began her career teaching high school English in Gibbon MN, then moved to Washington DC where she served as a parish worker at Augustana Lutheran Church for two years. She returned to Minnesota to teach junior high English in Alexandria and Mounds View.

Cork had an adventurous spirit and during school breaks, she worked and hiked in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park and backpacked Europe. She met and married her husband, Herb, and their adventures together included Boundary Waters canoe trips and relocating to Germany for his job, before returning to Minnesota for more teaching and to start a family.

After the family moved to Stillwater, Cork taught in Stillwater’s unique non-traditional programs for many years, including SAHS high school “Night School English” and Home-Bound, where she enjoyed teaching on a one-to-one basis, and as a substitute teacher at all levels. She retired from teaching at age 77.

Cork’s extraordinary dedication to serving others extended far beyond her teaching career, and her commitment to family, church and community activities focused on assisting others, had no limits. She exemplified a favorite passage from Micah 6:8 through her actions and attitudes in helping and improving the lives of others.

Her deep love for family was evident. Her love for life and sparkling presence made every gathering special. She was the heart of the extended family, the glue that kept us connected and the catalyst for countless gatherings. Her warmth drew people in, making everyone feel welcome and valued, and newcomers quickly feel like part of the family. She was truly one of a kind — bright, engaging, and deeply caring about the well-being of others. She had a rare gift for drawing out conversation, even from the quietest, and was genuinely interested in others and what was important in their lives. She always knew just what to say to lift spirits when it was needed the most.

Cork brought these qualities to parenting. She was encouraging, patient and supportive in the kids’ school and activities, including as a Cub Scout leader, paper route helper, and traveling support for soccer and skiing competitions. She taught her kids practical skills like wiring an electrical plug, changing oil and tires, building birdhouses, making campfires, cleaning fish, sewing, and cooking.

As the keeper of family history, Cork was dedicated to preserving stories of generations past so future ones will connect to their roots.

For fifteen years, she was faithfully involved in feeding the hungry at St Mark’s Sunday night supper and at All Saints Indian Mission in Minneapolis.

In addition to her family, one of her greatest loves was working to develop the Ice Age National Hiking Trail (IAT) in Wisconsin by devoting over 30 years and thousands of hours of volunteer service. As self-described “IAT evangelist”, Cork never passed up a chance to share the joy of hiking the Ice Age Trail with others, to recruit new volunteers, or to reward IAT volunteers with her legendary brownies.

Cork was thoughtful, loving, kind, and full of life, and her spirit lives on in everyone who was blessed to know her. Her spark will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Herb, daughter Kim (Eric), sons Bart and Rod (Michelle), and granddaughter, Ava; also, her sisters Joyce, Bev, Sharon and Char. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Chuck and John.

A gathering of family and friends is planned for late Spring 2026, likely at St Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis. Details to follow when available.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorials be made to your local church or community that serve the poor and hungry or to her beloved Ice Age Trail.