Dr. Ida May Shively Nelson (1868 - 1947)

NELSON, SHIVELY, REID, HALVORSEN

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 2/18/2019 at 09:57:12

The Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa
February 20, 1947, Page 1

Dr. Ida Nelson, Native of Clarke
Co., Died In California February 11

Ida May, the daughter of Jacob and Harriet Shively, was born February 29, 1868, near Osceola, Iowa, and died at Sanitarium, California, Feb. 11, 1947.

At the age of 19, she entered Battle Creek College, where she received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1892, and had the honor of being the first woman to be granted the degree of Bachelor of Science by the Battle Creek College.

In 1893, she began the study of medicine at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, but because of greater clinical advantages at the Medical College of the Northwestern University, she transferred to that institution and was graduated in 1897. After her graduation, she responded to a call to do medical work and teaching in the Science Department of the Keene Academy in Texas.

After three years, she connected with the Battle Creek Sanitarium, where she remained a short time and later took up medical work in Cleveland, Ohio, where she remained for three years. There she opened treatment rooms, and organized a nurses' training class, and helped to open a vegetarian cafeteria. In 1902 she connected with the Des Moines, Iowa Sanitarium as physician and instructor and Superintendent of Nurses, but soon accepted a call to the Boulder, Colorado Sanitarium, where she remained until 1908.

In 1908 she was united in marriage with Elder Andrew Nelson, President of the Oklahoma Conference. For a time she practiced medicine in Oklahoma City, and also served a Medical Secretary for the Southwestern Union Conference. In 1911 she accepted a invitation to connect with the St. Helena Sanitarium, where she served as a physician for 28 years. In 1940 she retired from active service.

All through her busy medical career. Dr. Ida had always taken a very active part in church and Sabbath school work, having served for many years at a Sabbath school teacher, and Secretary to the Home Department.

As a friend to all, she was always found to be true and loyal, sweet and understanding, and greatly loved her friends, and has found much comfort in the hundreds of letters and notes and messages of cheer and beautiful flowers which came to her in her long illness. She would often remark that these lovely remembrances were like downy feathers on her bed from God's wings.

She loved her medical work for the good that she could do in relieving the ills of suffering humanity. She was a wonderful wife and mother, never too tired or busy to discharge the many duties which make for a perfect home.

Those who remain to mourn their loss are a loving husband; two daughters, Mrs. Grace Reid of Perris, California, and Edith R. Nelson of Los Angeles; one grandson, Bruce A. Reid, of Perris, California; two brothers, Dr. J. D. Shively of Clinton, Missouri and John E. Shively of Osceola, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. Edith S. Halversen, of Sanitarium, California and Mrs. W. E. Nelson of Washington, D. C. three nephews, Dr. Paul Shively, John Shively and Dr. Ralph Halversen; and a host of friends.

Interment made at St. Helena, California.