back to home page  

back to KHS Graduates

back to Klemme School

Elaine Shirley Nelson

1935 - 2023

 

Elaine Shirley Nelson
April 30, 1935 - February 16, 2023

Elaine S. Nelson, age 87 of Forest City died on Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at Hancock County Health Services in Britt, IA.

Elaine was born on April 30, 1935, at her home in Klemme, IA to parents Melvin and Milly (Halverson) Neuberger and was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church. She went to K-12 in the Klemme Schools and she was active in cheerleading, plays, chorus, band, and was the band queen. She enjoyed her first job of being a Switchboard Operator.

In 1953 she began dating Valere Nelson, after an infamous date at the Surf Ballroom. The couple was united in marriage on October 3,
1954, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. They made their home and raised their family in rural Forest City and shared a very blessed life together.

Over the years, Elaine and Valere shared a partnership in the farming operation and she was fearless in taking on whatever was needed.
She did everything from providing meals to driving the grain truck; from doing the bookwork to plowing the fields. They also enjoyed taking trips camping with friends and family, playing Bridge, and watching their children’s and grandchildren’s games and school activities.

Times changed and Elaine adapted easily from living in a time with no running water in the house to being proficient in technology, using email and QuickBooks to manage the family farm. Elaine enjoyed spending time with her friends and neighbors, participating in church organizations and bible studies, and the OAO Club (our afternoon off). She did all this while dealing with numerous health issues over the years. Elaine was a strong-minded and independent woman, devoted wife, loving mother and proud Grandma & Great-Grandma.

Survivors include three children, Patricia Juhl of Forest City, Jeff (Robin) Nelson of Forest City, and Sally (Gary) Prinsen of Independence, MN; grandchildren; Stephanie (Jon) Thomas, Amy (Molly Mann) Juhl, Annette (Josh) Fox, Stacy John, Travis (Shela) John, Becky (Mike) Madison, Cristy (Jeremy) Swim, Samantha (Jordan) Hill, Darcy Nelson, Jessica (Andrew) Assman, Jack Prinsen and Grant Prinsen; and great-grandchildren, Haley, Tyler, Brianna, Madilyn, Natalie, Audrey, Marni, Josie, Ace, Kenson, Jude, Natalia, Drew, Peter, Vivian, Henry, Tucker, Julia and Lydia. She is also survived by a brother Alan (Jerenne) Neuberger of Hacienda Heights, CA; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Valere Nelson; parents Melvin and Milly Neuberger; in-laws Russell and Ruth Nelson;
granddaughter Atty Joy Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Friday, February 24th at Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills with Pastor Bill Peters
officiating and burial services following at the Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery.

If you are unable to attend the funeral service, it will be live streamed on the One In Christ Lutheran Parish YouTube page.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 23rd , from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E Main St in Lake Mills and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to Winnebago Lutheran Church, 40029 210th Ave, Lake Mills, IA, 50450 or directly to the donor’s choice.

Visitation: Thursday, February 23, 2023, 5:00PM - 7:00PM, Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, IA 50450

Funeral Service: Friday, February 24, 2023, 11:00AM, Winnebago Lutheran Church, 40029 210th Ave., Lake Mills, IA 50450

Final Resting Place: Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery, 40029 210th Ave., Lake Mills, IA 50450

Memorial Contributions: Winnebago Lutheran Church, 40029 210th Ave., Lake Mills, IA 50450, 641-567-3550