Elaine D. Nelson
February 17, 1922 — March 23, 2009
Elaine Delpha Nelson was born to Edwin and Ethel (Christiansen) Larson of rural Avoca in Shelby County, Iowa, on February 17, 1922. Elaine attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Harlan High School in 1940. After high school, Elaine continued her education at the Teacher’s College in Peru, Nebraska, and taught for a period of time in a one-room country school.
On November 28, 1941, Elaine was united in marriage to Lloyd Nelson. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary prior to Lloyd’s death in 2003. Three children were born to this union: Judy, Vicky, and Galen. After their wedding, Elaine and Lloyd made their home outside of Harlan where they farmed until 1957.
Elaine accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age. She was an active member of Bethel Baptist, Altamont Baptist and most recently at First Baptist Church in Harlan. She was also an active church leader, teaching Sunday School, Bible School, and taking leadership roles in the women’s ministry. Elaine also was an active Elm Crest Retirement auxiliary member and could be found assisting with aebleskiver and soup/pie suppers, and taking the gift cart to Elm Crest residents with Lloyd.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Lloyd and Elaine farmed for many years and later started Nelson Farm Supply in Harlan. Elaine was a wonderful cook and baker and baked delicious homemade pies for the Corley gas station café and the Avoca Sale Barn Café. She also managed the Holiday Buffet and later owned the White Star Café in Harlan. Elaine and Lloyd enjoyed an early retirement and wintered in Arizona, and also enjoyed doing crafts.
Elaine died on Monday, March 23, 2009, at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-seven years, one month and six days. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lloyd; her brother Kenneth Larson; and her sister Nadine Short.
She is survived by her children: Judy and her husband Jim Zea of Avoca, Iowa; Vicky and her husband Dave Waclawski of Rockwell City, Iowa; and Galen "Sam" and his wife Linda of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; grandchildren: Corbin Zea, Darci Hyde, Jodi Peterson, Tami Swank, Montgomery Schnack, Gabe Nelson, Carly Mjelde, and Chad, Eric, Brian and Jeff Bricker; twenty-two great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. Rev. Al Hazelton officiated the 10:00 AM service. Burial was held at Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa, with Gene and Darlene Arentson, Verle and Marie Arentson, Harold and Donna Lansman, Stanley and Joan Martens and Dale and Ruth Sorensen serving as honorary casket bearers. Acting as casket bearers were: Corbin Zea, Montgomery Schnack, Gabe Nelson, Chad Bricker, Brian Bricker, Jeff Bricker, and Eric Bricker.
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On November 28, 1941, Elaine was united in marriage to Lloyd Nelson. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary prior to Lloyd’s death in 2003. Three children were born to this union: Judy, Vicky, and Galen. After their wedding, Elaine and Lloyd made their home outside of Harlan where they farmed until 1957.
Elaine accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age. She was an active member of Bethel Baptist, Altamont Baptist and most recently at First Baptist Church in Harlan. She was also an active church leader, teaching Sunday School, Bible School, and taking leadership roles in the women’s ministry. Elaine also was an active Elm Crest Retirement auxiliary member and could be found assisting with aebleskiver and soup/pie suppers, and taking the gift cart to Elm Crest residents with Lloyd.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Lloyd and Elaine farmed for many years and later started Nelson Farm Supply in Harlan. Elaine was a wonderful cook and baker and baked delicious homemade pies for the Corley gas station café and the Avoca Sale Barn Café. She also managed the Holiday Buffet and later owned the White Star Café in Harlan. Elaine and Lloyd enjoyed an early retirement and wintered in Arizona, and also enjoyed doing crafts.
Elaine died on Monday, March 23, 2009, at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-seven years, one month and six days. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lloyd; her brother Kenneth Larson; and her sister Nadine Short.
She is survived by her children: Judy and her husband Jim Zea of Avoca, Iowa; Vicky and her husband Dave Waclawski of Rockwell City, Iowa; and Galen "Sam" and his wife Linda of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; grandchildren: Corbin Zea, Darci Hyde, Jodi Peterson, Tami Swank, Montgomery Schnack, Gabe Nelson, Carly Mjelde, and Chad, Eric, Brian and Jeff Bricker; twenty-two great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. Rev. Al Hazelton officiated the 10:00 AM service. Burial was held at Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa, with Gene and Darlene Arentson, Verle and Marie Arentson, Harold and Donna Lansman, Stanley and Joan Martens and Dale and Ruth Sorensen serving as honorary casket bearers. Acting as casket bearers were: Corbin Zea, Montgomery Schnack, Gabe Nelson, Chad Bricker, Brian Bricker, Jeff Bricker, and Eric Bricker.
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