Nelson, Vera (1917-2012)

NELSON, REMILLARD, MEYER, GRISWOLD, SWANSON, ROUSE, HANSEN, BRAESCH, RILEY, DOMEIER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 7/22/2012 at 19:44:08

Vera Nelson
November 22, 1917 - June 26, 2012

Mrs. Nelson, 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at Riverview Terrace Assisted Living in Spencer, Iowa.

Vera Fern (Remillard) Griswold Nelson, daughter of Jesse and Marie (Meyer) Remillard was born on November 22, 1917, in Sioux Rapids in the house just south of Sliefert's Funeral Home. Vera received her education in the Sioux Rapids School, graduating with the class of 1936. Following her younger sister's graduation, Vera and Vesta took a train to Washington State where they worked in a defense factory to support the World War II cause.

When Vera returned to Sioux Rapids, she met Warren Griswold from Webb, Iowa, and they were married on August 10, 1944. To this union one daughter, Lynda, was born. Warren passed away on November 11, 1951, and two years later Vera met Floyd Nelson of Spencer. They were married on August 14, 1954. During the following years, Vera worked as a secretary to Walter Simonson at Simonson Iron Works. When Floyd created Nelson Products, Vera joined him there as his secretary. Vera and Floyd had a good life, taking great pride in their home, establishing Nelson Products Company, and traveling. They especially enjoyed wintering in Tyler, Texas.

Baptized in the First Methodist Church in Sioux Rapids, Vera remained a loyal member when it became the First United Church. Very active in the church, she participated in circles and Ladies Aid, but she especially enjoyed roasting turkeys for the annual turkey supper. A wonderful cook, she also loved to bake; she made the best pecan and banana cream pies! A member of the Historical Society, she enjoyed the fellowship among the members. She always kept fit, participatingd in the "exercise and coffee" group that met (and still meets) regularly at the home of Kathie Skelton.

Floyd passed away on October 29, 2003, and the following January, Vera's daughter, Lynda, moved to Sioux Rapids from Davenport to care for her mother. On January 27, 2007, Vera moved into Riverview Terrace Assisted Living in Spencer. Even though she made many friends at Riverview and enjoyed the activities, she passionately preferred "other" activities. She loved riding in the car (She didn't care where!), eating out (She didn't care where!), and spending time at her home in Sioux Rapids. There, Vera unmercifully spoiled Lynda's Shih Tzus, Lucy and CoCo. She just loved those dogs! (In the past, she had not been a dog-lover AT ALL!)

Those left to cherish Vera's memory include her daughter, Lynda Swanson; her grandsons, Jeff Swanson, of Littleton, Colorado, and Jon Swanson, of West Des Moines; her sisters, Vesta Rouse, of Spencer; Wilma Hansen, of Sioux Rapids, and Phyllis Braesch, of Marathon; a sister-in-law, JoAnn Hansen, of Austin, Texas, and her brother-in-law, Dale Griswold, of Streator, Illinois, as well as many other relatives and friends. Although they will miss Vera's dry wit and sense of humor, they will continue to cherish the good memories.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Warren and Floyd; her brothers, Wayne, Calvin, and Richard; a sister, Velma; a son-in-law, Larry Swanson; her sisters-in-law, Donna, Ellie, and Velma Remillard, Alleta and Helen Nelson, June Riley, Ruth Rowe, and Nadine and Dorothy Griswold; her brothers-in-law, Claire Nelson, Bill Riley, Bob Hansen, Alvin Rouse, and Kenny Braesch; a niece, Linda Nelson, and a "special" aunt who lived next door, Lula Domeier.

A sincere thank you to all the employees of Riverview Terrace for the compassion and loving care they bestowed on Vera during her time there.

Services to celebrate the life of Vera Nelson will be held at ten o’clock, Saturday morning, June 30, 2012, at the First United Church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. A lunch will follow in the church dining room. Visitation will be at the church on Friday, June 29th, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Interment will be at a later date.

The family requests that memorials in Vera’s name be made either to the First United Church of Sioux Rapids or the Historical Society.

Copyright © 2012, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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