NELSON, Hazel 1908-1999

NELSON, HARLEY, MCELWAIN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/1/2010 at 21:05:17

Hazel Nelson

ROCKFORD, IOWA — Hazel Nelson, 90, formerly of Rockford, died Sunday (Jan. 17, 1999) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, Rockford, with the Rev. Rosemary Rhode-Frank officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 W. Main, Rockford and will continue from 12:30 p.m. until time of services on Wednesday at the church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the Martin and Hazel Nelson Memorial Fund at the First United Methodist Church, Rockford.

Hazel was born July 9, 1908, the daughter of Ora and Gladys (Harley) McElwain, Woodbine.

Hazel was a very generous and compassionate person who volunteered numerous hours to her community and church. She was past president of the Rockford Women's Club; and had also held various offices in the local and county Historical Society.

Hazel was extremely involved in the church, including holding several offices, depicting the history of the church and the history of the United Methodist Women. Hazel also donated the display case at the church and kept it up while she was still capable.

To the neighborhood children, she was known as the "Cookie Lady." Hazel was very in-tuned to keeping the family genealogy.

Hazel was employed by the Rockford Farmers Coop Exchange for 21 years as a bookkeeper until retiring in 1972.

Hazel was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rockford, and the Bookkeepers Association.

Those thankful for having shared Hazel's life include one daughter, Dorothy and her husband, James North, of Rockford; one son, James and his wife, Margot Nelson, of Des Moines; two brothers, Gordon McElwain, of Blair, Nebraska, and Merril and his wife, Loie McElwain, of Woodbine; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin; and one brother, Russell McElwain.

Globe Gazette, Jan. 19, 1999