Nelson, Mary Jo 1940-2017

NELSON, EDWARDS, RICKELS

Posted By: NettieMae
Date: 4/25/2017 at 12:43:07

Mary Jo (Edwards) Nelson, 76, of Camanche passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center Clinton.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at St. Johns Lutheran Church Clinton. The family will greet friends from 10:00 am until the service hour at the church. Her urn will be buried in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting her obituary at www.snellzornig.com.

Mary Jo Edwards was born at home on August 23, 1940 in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence R. and Josephine H. (Rickels) Edwards. She was baptized on April 13, 1941 and raised by her maternal grandparents Carl and Johans Rickels in Scotch Grove, Iowa from the age of 14 months until starting Jr. High School because of her mothers health. She was a 1959 graduate of Clinton High School and a 1961 graduate of Mt. St. Clare College.

Mary Jo then went off to Chicago to live the Big City Life as an office manager. She took a few classes at the art institute in Chicago and worked on some little theater painting scenes. She married Victor W. Nelson III on October 30, 1978 at the Blackhawk Hotel; he preceded her in death on Thanksgiving Day 1987.

After the death of her husband and 30 years in the city, Mary Jo moved back to Iowa. Her Dad bought her a mobile home in Camanche and she got her first car, this was brand new life for her.

Mary Jo worked for the bakery at Walmart for 12 years and then baking for Ashford for 3 years until she retired in 2015. She was a member of the St. Johns Lutheran Church in Clinton where she was active with the Ladies Aide, she was also a past-member of the Historical Society in Camanche and the Clinton Womens Club. Mary Jo loved her cat Patches. She was a strong women that overcame many things in her life such as her battle with breast cancer.

She is survived by her brother Jerry (Janice) Edwards of Camanche; one nephew: Jeff (Diana) Edwards of Clinton; five step great nieces; two step great nephews; five step-children; numerous step-grandchildren; several special cousins; and of course her friends.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her husband and one great step nephew.

Memorial may be made to the St. Johns Lutheran Church. - See more at: http://obituaries.clintonherald.com/story/mary-edwards-nelson-1940-2017-875040832#sthash.DseXNwpL.dpuf