Maria Dawn Nelson 1957-2017
NELSON, FAIRCHILD, RAHM, WATSON
Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 2/24/2017 at 09:53:06
Maria Dawn Nelson, 58, of Bonaparte, died January 9, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, after a long battle with lung disease (she was a staunch anti-smoker her entire life). Maria was born August 4, 1957, in Keosauqua, the fourth child (and first girl) of nine to Samuel G. and Mary E. Fairchild Nelson.
Out of the nine, she was the studious, strong-willed, independent one. Her love of books and reading started at a young age. She often had her nose in a book, and was the only one of her siblings to leave Iowa to explore the world (before eventually returning to raise her kids). Maria lived in Farmington, IA, through kindergarten, and then spent the rest of her childhood on farms north of Bonaparte, where she graduated Harmony High School in 1975.
Maria joined the U.S. Air Force (January 9, 1976 to March 21, 1984) after graduating from high school. She worked as a dental lab technician at Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, CO, where she met her husband, Randy, and her two oldest children were born. Her rank was staff sergeant at the time of her honorable discharge in 1984. While in Denver, she loved snow skiing and playing volleyball.
After leaving the military and divorcing, Maria returned home to Iowa to raise her children and go to college. She was an eager student with a hunger for knowledge and passion for learning. She first attended Southeastern Community College and then went on to Western Illinois University where she earned her Master of Science degree (major Health Education) in 1992, a Bachelor of Science degree (major Health Science) in 1990, and a Bachelor of Business degree (major Finance, minor Safety Education) in 1988.
She lived in the Denmark and West Point, IA, areas until about 10 years ago when she returned to the family farm in Bonaparte. Maria enjoyed reading books, listening to music, and dancing, was an animal lover and devoted her life to rescuing animals and children. She was passionate about learning and education and the preservation and conservation of the environment.
She is survived by a son, Patrick Rahm, of Norwalk, IA, and a daughter, Miranda Watson (Paul) of Fairview, NC, two grandchildren, Madison and Noah Watson of Fairview, NC, five brothers, Dennis and Curtis Nelson (Bonnie) of Bonaparte, Mike Nelson of Danville, Greg Nelson of Keokuk, and Brad Nelson of Kahoka, MO, and two sisters, Marcia and Terri Nelson, both of Des Moines.
In addition to her parents, Maria is preceded in death by her son, Alexander Nelson, and a brother, Randy Nelson.
Funeral services were held January 17, 2017, at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, with Pastor Chad Welch officiating. Burial with military honors by Sargeant-Osweiler Post No. 563, Bonaparte was in Vale Cemetery, north of Bonaparte.
Source: Van Buren County Register, Keosauqua, IA, 19 Jan. 2017
Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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