Nelson, Shirley E. (Jackson) 1935 - 2015

NELSON, JACKSON, ROENNFELDT, WORKMAN, SEEBACH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/4/2015 at 14:39:02

Shirley E. Nelson went to be with the Lord she loves Nov. 24, 2015. Interment was in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, Saturday, Nov. 28, at 2 p.m. A memorial service is at the Charter House Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House (850 2nd Street SW in Rochester, MN 55902) or P.E.O. Educational Fund, c/o Kathy Skold (403 West Main Street in Decorah, Iowa 52101). Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester MN 55901 ranfranzandvinefh.com.

Shirley’s professional life was dedicated to teaching young children, especially those with learning disabilities, and her personal life exemplified unbridled hospitality to all whom God placed in her path.

Shirley was born Feb. 18, 1935, to George E. and Elsie (Roennfeldt) Jackson. She was raised in Council Bluffs, graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1953. She earned an education certificate from Parsons College, in Fairfield, in 1955, and married Jack nelson Aug. 21 of that year.

Shirley lived and taught in Clarence for two years and as their family grew she and Jack moved to Tipton, then Washington, and then Decorah, all in Iowa. In Decorah, Shirley rekindled her love of teaching and graduated magna cum laude from Luther College in 1973, with her parents, her proud husband and three kids looking on.

She went on to teach in the Decorah school system for 25 years, retiring in 1993. Shirley and Jack moved to Rochester, Minn. in 2001, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage in Aug. 2015, surrounded by family and friends from across the country.

Shirley was a faithful Methodist and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota, Minn. She also was a 21-year member of P.E.O.

Shirley loved being with her grandchildren. The highlight of any family get-together was the meals she prepared for them and the books she read at bedtime.

For many years she enjoyed being outdoors, walking with her husband and friends, and also participating in an aerobics group in Decorah.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Jack; her beloved sister- and brother-in-law, Joanne and Bruce Workman (Omaha, Neb.); her kids, Rick (K) of Longmont, Colo.; Pam (Bart Seebach), Canton, Minn.; and matt (Kay), Kasson, Minn.; as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents.

Source: Decorah Newspapers December 2, 2015

Phelps Cemetery
 

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