Trudy Nelson (1927-2008)

NELSON, KING, COWELL, SNYDER, WITTIER, HUPP

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/28/2009 at 22:21:09

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, November 19, 2008.

Trudy Nelson passed away in her home in Story City, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008.

Trudy was born Beulah Arlene to James and Josie (Cowell) King, on Feb. 25, 1927 in Pilot Mound, Iowa. Born into a musical family, she sang and started the piano at age three. The family couldn't afford a piano, so Trudy practiced her lessons on a board with piano keys painted on it. As a five year old she played ukulele and sang songs for ice cream cones. A gifted soprano and pianist, in fifth grade she sang in the high school choir, and as a teen she competed nationally as a vocalist.

She attended schools in Fraser, Pilot Mound and Iowa State Teachers College Lab School in Cedar Falls while studying voice. After graduation she worked as a broker's assistant in Des Moines, a soprano soloist at Capitol Hill Christian Church and a piano entertainer at a hotel.

On June 11, 1950 she married Andrew P. Nelson of Story City at the Capitol Hill Christian Church in Des Moines. Andy and Trudy moved to Story City in 1952. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of their son Eric on March 27, 1954. It was further blessed with his marriage on July 3, 1976 to Mary Constantine of Ames; and with the births of four grandchildren and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren.

Andy and Trudy were active in St Petri Lutheran Church from 1952, becoming members in 1957. Trudy was active in the choir, as a member for 56 years and director for ten years. She directed children's choirs for nine years, was a Sunday school teacher in the Primary Department, active in the Ladies Aid Society, the Music and Worship Committee and was a volunteer secretary at the church.

Trudy was the owner of the Nelson House Beauty Shop in Story City, and an administrative assistant with the Iowa State University Extension office, retiring in 1982.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers John, Robert and Arthur, sisters Mary, Imogene and Edith; and her husband Andrew.

She is survived by her son Eric Nelson and wife Mary Constantine-Nelson; four grandchildren and families: Matthew and Angela Snyder, James and Alexa Wittier, Aaron and AdriElle Hupp, and Michael Nelson; and five great-grandchildren Victoria, Talia and Kathryn Snyder, and Micah and Zoe Wittier; and by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation was held from 4 - 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story City. Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Story City.