Anna (Nielsen) Nelson (1865-1947)

NIELSEN, NELSON, BONDE, ANDERSON, RASMUSSEN, THOMPSON, MARTINS, HILL, JENSEN, LEE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From Nevada Evening Journal September 3, 1947 (page 6)

Funeral Services In Story City for Mrs. N. M. Nelson

Story City, Sept. 3 -- Funeral services were held in Grace Evangelical United Brethren church in Story City, Rev. W. E. Ulrich officiating, on Friday afternoon, for Mrs. N. M. Nelson, who passed away on Monday. This was preceded by a prayer service at the home and interment was in the Story City cemetery. Nels P. Larson, O. L. Jamison, Jay Born, Geo. W. Sowers, F. C. Corneliussen and Dr. E. E. Langland were casket bearers.

Mrs. Anna Nelson was born June 8, 1865 at Horsens Denmark, to Ander Nielsen and Marie Rasmussen Nielsen and after an extended illness died at her home in Story City, Iowa, August 25, 1947 at 3:30 p. m., at the age of 82 years, 2 months and 17 days. At the age of about 20 or in 1885 Anna Nielsen came to America where she first lived with her uncle and aunt Bonde near Story City. Later she worked for Hermansons, near Story City and Ankeneys in Des Moines. On October 9th, 1889 she was united in marriage with N. M. Nelson of Story City. For about 20 years the Nelsons managed a hotel, known as Nelson House in Story City of the present City Hall site. Then they sold the hotel and moved across the street to the house where Mrs. Nelson resided until her death.

There were no children born to Mr. and Mrs. N. M. Nelson but several sisters, nieces and nephews made their home with them at different times and later with Mrs. Nelson, through the years. Also many newly arrived immigrants were welcomed into their home where they stayed until they were able to orient and establish themselves in the new land of their choice. Many teachers and others roomed and boarded at the Nelson home after the sale of the hotel. These and more particularly those who served as help in the home, characteristically referred to the Nelsons as Pa and Ma Nelson, indicating that while they had no children by birth they had many in spirit.

In community life Mrs. Nelson was a member of the ladies organization known as the "New Era", which later developed into the Women's Club. She was also a charter member of the local P. E. O. and a member of the Eastern Star. While not an official member, she for many years associated herself with and gave support to Grace church in Story City.

Mrs. Nelson was preceded in death by her husband by about 20 yeas or on May 4, 1927.

Those who survive her passing are three sisters: Mrs. J. P. Anderson of Northwood, Iowa; Mrs. J. F. Rasmussen, Denver, Colo.; and Mrs. Otto Thompson of Fresno, Calif.; a brother, Andrew Nelson of Story city; the following nephews and nieces, who at different times made their home with her: Ted Martins, Omaha, Nebr., Russell Hill, Tacoma, Wash.; Mrs. Margaret Lee Jensen, Dundee, Ill.; and Capt. Robert Lee, Aberdeen, Maryland, and also many other relatives and friends.

Thus another whose name and face was long familiar on the streets of Story City has passed from time to eternity.