Irene (Renicker) NELSON

NELSON, RENICKER, OSTER, ANDERSON, PEIL, HAMMOND, SWISHER, JANDL, MCALLISTER, OTTMAN, NEWTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2006 at 23:25:19

February 22, 2005
©Belmond Independent 2005

Irene Nelson, 73, of Belmond, died on Thursday, February 17, 2005, at the Belmond Health Care Center, following a three and one-half year battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on Monday, February 21, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond, with Rev. Lowell Halvorson officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Irene Renicker, the daughter of Harry and Jennie (Oster) Renicker, was born on March 1, 1931, on her parents' farm near Woden. She attended the Grant Township School #8 and graduated from the Buffalo Center High School in 1950. Irene married Gerald Gird Nelson on August 30, 1952 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Irene was a homemaker and had been a partner in Gerald's welding business for many years. She was a diligent and tender caregiver to special needs children, including Bobby Greiman. She was a special friend and care provider to Anna Busick. Irene will be remembered as a kind and tender lady with a heart bigger than her being. Her gift of nurturing had shown through at its best in recent months as she spent time catering to the needs of her terminally ill daughter, Bonnie Anderson prior to Bonnie's death this January. Irene enjoyed time with her family and friends, fishing and camping excursions with her husband, and anything that included her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and loved to collect angels, bears, bells and salt and pepper shakers. Irene enjoyed watching various sports teams. Irene was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church and the VFW Auxiliary Post 4244 of Belmond.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband in 1987; daughter, Geraldine in 1954; daughter, Bonnie; and grandson, Joshua Leonard Anderson in 1985. Survivors include daughter, LeeAnn Nelson and special friend, Loran Peil of Belmond; son, Jerry (Kymberli) Nelson and their children, Mackenzie and Michael of Renton, Washington; son-in-law, Terry R. Anderson and his son, Duane of Goodell; stepdaughter, Betty Lou Hammond of Bellevue, Nebraska; sisters, Marie Swisher of Darwin, Minnesota, Alice Jandl of Mankato, Minnesota, Jeanette (Walt) McAllister of Lake George, Minnesota and Betty Ottman and companion, Jack Newton of Tomah, Wisconsin; and brother, Martin (Iva) Renicker of Redwood City, California.