Desda Grace Nelson

NELSON, JOHNSTON, ROBERTS, SMITH

Posted By: Larry Nelson (email)
Date: 4/3/2002 at 22:45:21

Desda Grace Nelson was born on 19 August 1933 on the family farm southwest of Stockport, Iowa, to Merle Nelson and Roberta Johnston. She attended country school for the first three grades, then transferred to Birmingham, Iowa where she attended for three years. She then went to Stockport High School where she was involved in Glee Club and was a cheerleader. She graduated in 1951. During the summer, Desda helped on the farm, driving tractors and doing other heavy work. She continued her education at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. She married Duane Smith on 28 June 1953 in Stockport Methodist Church.

Three children resulted from this union, Jodi Sue, Kevin Scott and Brian Sean. She and Duane moved to Arizona City, Arizona in 1977. She worked for the Arizona City Development Corporation for several years and took an interest in painting. She studied with Bob Eckel of Phoenix and became an accomplished artist. She also took training in portrait painting with Leslie Powell of Reno.

Jobs:

Receptionist, Universal, Fairfield, IA.

Clerical/bookkeeping, Office Supplies Company, Burlington, IA.

Clerk/Accounting, Rockwell International, Fairfield, IA.

Data Processing Supervisor, Rockwell International, Fairfield, IA.

Controller/Treasurer, Arizona City Dev., Corp., Arizona City, AZ.

Residences:

Fairfield, Jefferson Co., IA. (1953-1957)

Burlington, Lee Co., IA. (1957-1960)

Fairfield, Jefferson, Co., IA. (1960-1977)

Casa Grande, AZ. (1977-1980)

Arizona City, AZ. (1980-1994)

Desda died of cancer on 20 November 1994, in Phoenix, Arizona.