Ellen Nelson

Rebecca Ellen Nelson was born February 7,1915, in Loveland, Iowa, the daughter of Mack and Myrtle Morehouse Fouts. She was raised in Loveland where she received her elementary education before graduating from Missouri Valley High School with the class of 1932. She continued her education at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, graduating with her elementary teaching degree. Ellen taught for two years in Carrolton, Iowa, and one year in Malvern, Iowa. On June 9, 1937, Ellen was united in marriage with Virgil Severin Nelson in Loveland, Iowa. They made their home in Denison where their two children, Kent and Janna, were born and raised. Ellen and Virgil owned and operated Nelson’s Western Store (founded in 1907) and Nelson’s Shoe Store. They sold the businesses in 1978 after working together for 40 years. After Virgil died June 4, 1984, Ellen continued to make her home in Denison. In her retirement years, she enjoyed her membership in several bridge clubs, an investment club, playing golf, reading, knitting, needlepoint, volunteer work and spending time with her family. Ellen was a firm believer in being active and giving back to her church and community. She was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church, Denison, where she held several church offices, including church treasurer for eight years and a member of the finance committee for 11 years. In earlier years, she was active in the Order of Eastern Star, holding several offices, and was Mother Advisor of Rainbow. She was a member of the Denison Chamber of Commerce and received their “Volunteer of the Year” award for her many years of service. Ellen was a member of the Crawford County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Medical Clinic Foundation Board, Questers, Denison Country Club, Friends of the Library, and the Donna Reed Foundation. Ellen died early Friday, October 26, 2012, at the Reed House in Denison following a brief illness at age 97. She continued to be active, still playing a good hand of bridge until shortly before her death. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Harold Fouts, Gertrude Norberg, and Isabel Feldt. Those remaining to cherish her memory include her son, Kent (Diane) Nelson, Pittsford, New York; daughter Janna (John) Rice, Bettendorf, Iowa. Six grandchildren: Sonja (Stu) Sorrel, Clive, Iowa; Kristin (Tom) Duncan, Cincinnati, Ohio; Natalie Rice (fiancé, Peter McIntyre), Washington, D.C.; Severin (Lissa) Nelson, New York City, New York; Trevor (Jessica) Nelson, Seattle, Washington; Cameron Nelson, Provo, Utah; five great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Marie Fouts, Beverly Hills, California, and Fanchon Sinn, San Antonio, Texas; nieces, nephews and many friends. Memorial contributions in Ellen’s name may be made to First United Methodist Church, Crawford County Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Donna Reed Foundation.