Jean Nelson

Jean Nelson was born in Omaha, Nebraska, January 24, 1924, the daughter of Frederick and Daisy Chandler Rupp. Raised in Omaha, she was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and graduated from South High School with the class of 1942. On February 12, 1943, Jean was united in marriage with Lawrence F. Nelson in Rockport, Missouri. They made their home on the farm south of Vail, Iowa, where their marriage was blessed with four children, Larry, Dean, Janean and Dan. With the exception of fourteen years in Denison, Jean spent her adult life in Vail. For many years she was employed at Fred’s Café in Denison and later, for fourteen years, she was employed at Dubuque Pack from which she retired in 1989. Her favorite times were those spent with her children and grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoyed reading and caring for her cats and dog. Jean died Monday morning, May 31, 2010, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 86 years, 4 months and 7 days. Jean was preceded in death by her father, Frederick Rupp, her mother, Daisy Rupp Lidgett, granddaughter, Audrey Nelson, son, Larry Nelson, sister, Grace Linberg, and long time companion, Al Bauer. Those remaining to cherish her memory include three children: Dean Nelson of Vail, Iowa and special friend, Connie Wight of Denison, Iowa; Janean and husband, Bob Haukap of Carroll, Iowa; and Dan Nelson and wife, Cindy of Vail, Iowa; daughter-in-law: Sue Nelson of Denison, Iowa; 11 grandchildren: Kim Roos of Castle Rock, Colorado; Ann Nelson and special friend, Matt Pope of Thorton, Colorado; Major David Nelson and wife, Captain Amanda Nelson of Cataula, Georgia; Darin Nelson of Vail, Iowa; Kevin Nelson and wife, Kali of Glidden,Iowa; Nelson Haukap and wife, Dana of Everett, Washington; Carter Haukap and wife, Lara of Carroll, Iowa; Wyatt Haukap and special friend, Lindsay Kukral of Carroll, Iowa; Danielle Nelson of Carroll, Iowa; Seth Nelson of Emmetsburg, Iowa; and Trent Nelson and special friend, Brandi Loftus of Manning, Iowa; 14 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.