Tuyet Thi Tran

Trần Thị Tuyết
Tuyet Thi Tran, age 85, passed away peacefully midday on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Cottagewood Senior Communities. Tuyet, meaning "Snow", was born in Nam Dinh, Vietnam to proud father Loc & mother Tho on November 10, 1940. Tuyet was always a very hard worker, showing assiduous effort in all pursuits as a default, even when facing adversity and war. She and her family escaped from North Vietnam to Saigon in 1954, a feat many attempted, but not all succeeded. While in the south, Ms. "Prettiest in all of Vietnam" also owned a fabric shop, studied English, dabbled in other languages, and worked with the United States Government as a translator.

In 1968, she immigrated to America, where she welcomed her greatest joy, Joseph, the following year. While in the United States, Tuyet kept a very private and modest life, always giving her time and earnings to those less fortunate, even when she had little herself. She always cared for others, including working as a nursing aide and helping disabled children. Even in her retirement, she would volunteer by making baby clothes for donation at Mayo Clinic, help clean and organize the food shelf, and work full-time in her 70s. Always on the go, her "I do what I want" attitude kept her active and able.

The impact that Tuyet's selfless acts of giving had on her family and the thousands she has helped through volunteer work has a value of permanence, as her outpouring of love has sent a ripple effect through the world, even across nations. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Even as she was in her final days, family members unanimously reported, "I just wish she could live forever."

Tuyet is survived by her former spouse Gerald Nelson: the father of her beloved son, Joseph E. Nelson of Minnesota and his beautiful wife Jessica; her caring grandchildren Rebecca Jobes and helpful husband Andrew, Emily Nelson, and Jonathan Nelson, all from Minnesota; her loving brother Chinh Tran and his beautiful wife Hang Ngo of Virginia and his kind children including Kelly, John, Anthony, Brian, Kevin, and Jennifer; her kind-hearted niece Thuy Reber and her supportive husband Don of Louisiana, and their wonderful children David Dai Viet (Kerry) Reber, Mary Miller, Brian (Amy) Reber, and their children; her attentive niece Thanh Flynn of California and her wonderful children Sean Flynn, Caroline Flynn, Tara Flynn-Tedder, Brendan Flynn and their children.

Tuyet is preceded in death by her parents Tho & Loc, her brother Duc, her sisters Khang & Ninh, her family member Michael Schlattman, a great-grandniece, and many others who loved her dearly.

Tuyet believed that this was not "goodbye", but "until we meet again". Her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

A burial and celebration of life will be held in the summer to be announced at a later date.