Carolyn J. Nelson
August 18, 1936 — November 19, 2008
Carolyn Joyce Nelson, daughter of Christian C. F. and Ella (Zolck) Hoeppner, was born on August 18, 1936, on a farm near Avoca, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the Congregational Church in Minden, Iowa.
She attended school in Shelby, Iowa, graduating with the Class of 1955. She was united in marriage to Edward C. Owen on January 30, 1955. They resided in Harlan, Iowa, after her husband’s graduation from the University of Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Steven, Scott, and Shari.
After Eddie’s death in 1972, Carolyn learned that she had a knack for sales after being recruited to help a friend working with the Sarah Coventry Jewelry Company. She soon achieved the level of a Branch Manager where she held positions in the top 10 nationally in personal sales for twelve consecutive years, earning numerous incentive trips. She was eventually promoted to Regional Manager. She was also an active member in the Lebanon Chapter No. 8, Order of Eastern Star where she achieved the status of Worthy Matron. She was very proud of receiving her fifty years of service pin.
On May 18, 1974, she was married to William "Bill" Nelson in Harlan. She later opened a store of her own called "Gifts by Carolyn" in Harlan. She retired due to her disability in October 1990. She enjoyed three more years with her husband Bill before his death in 1993. In her retirement, she loved working part-time as a cashier at Mickel’s Family Restaurant. She also enjoyed playing cards, going to movies, and giving gifts. She particularly loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren.
Carolyn died on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of seventy-two years, three months, and one day. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her sister Mildred Rollins.
She is survived by her sons Steve Owen and Scott Owen and his wife KimBerly all of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; her daughter Shari and her husband Frank Heese of Harlan, Iowa; her step-daughter Dena Christensen of Omaha, Nebraska; seven grandchildren: Ryan, Chad, Kaysha, Carly, Nolan, Alexandra, and Madison; one step-grandson, Adam; her brother Chris Hoeppner, Jr. and his wife Rowene of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other family members and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, November 22, 2008, with Pastor Donna Ewert leading the 2:00 PM service at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were Chad Owen, David Kentsmith, Frank Heese, Lee Rollins, Victor Rollins, and Ryan Owen with interment held at the Harlan Cemetery.
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She attended school in Shelby, Iowa, graduating with the Class of 1955. She was united in marriage to Edward C. Owen on January 30, 1955. They resided in Harlan, Iowa, after her husband’s graduation from the University of Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Steven, Scott, and Shari.
After Eddie’s death in 1972, Carolyn learned that she had a knack for sales after being recruited to help a friend working with the Sarah Coventry Jewelry Company. She soon achieved the level of a Branch Manager where she held positions in the top 10 nationally in personal sales for twelve consecutive years, earning numerous incentive trips. She was eventually promoted to Regional Manager. She was also an active member in the Lebanon Chapter No. 8, Order of Eastern Star where she achieved the status of Worthy Matron. She was very proud of receiving her fifty years of service pin.
On May 18, 1974, she was married to William "Bill" Nelson in Harlan. She later opened a store of her own called "Gifts by Carolyn" in Harlan. She retired due to her disability in October 1990. She enjoyed three more years with her husband Bill before his death in 1993. In her retirement, she loved working part-time as a cashier at Mickel’s Family Restaurant. She also enjoyed playing cards, going to movies, and giving gifts. She particularly loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren.
Carolyn died on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of seventy-two years, three months, and one day. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her sister Mildred Rollins.
She is survived by her sons Steve Owen and Scott Owen and his wife KimBerly all of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; her daughter Shari and her husband Frank Heese of Harlan, Iowa; her step-daughter Dena Christensen of Omaha, Nebraska; seven grandchildren: Ryan, Chad, Kaysha, Carly, Nolan, Alexandra, and Madison; one step-grandson, Adam; her brother Chris Hoeppner, Jr. and his wife Rowene of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other family members and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, November 22, 2008, with Pastor Donna Ewert leading the 2:00 PM service at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were Chad Owen, David Kentsmith, Frank Heese, Lee Rollins, Victor Rollins, and Ryan Owen with interment held at the Harlan Cemetery.
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