Margaret Annabelle (Lyons) NELSON

LYONS, NELSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2012 at 13:35:34

January 13, 1922 --- July 8, 2012

Margaret Annabelle Nelson (nee Lyons) made an auspicious entrance into the world on Friday, January 13, 1922 in Des Moines IA. The timing of her birth led one step-grandmother to predict an interesting future. She was ten when the family moved to Eagle Grove IA: her parents, Harry and Elizabeth Lyons, older sister Mary Elizabeth (Betty) and younger siblings Theodore Robert (Ted) and Patricia Jane (Pat). She helped at the family dairy and was certified as the youngest milk tester in Iowa at age 11. In 1939, Margaret graduated from Eagle Grove High School. The marching band ranked first in Iowa, with Margaret parading as drum major with her high hat and baton, wearing a boy's uniform not cut to fit a girl of 17. That same year she was a member of the high school typing team that won 1st place in the state competition, and also met her future husband, Lewis. After graduation she attended college, worked as a fashion model in Chicago, took flying lessons, and served as a secretary to several generals during WWII in Washington D.C, St. Louis and Des Moines.

On April 22, 1944, Margaret and Lewis married in the army post chapel at Fort Snelling, St. Paul MN. They lived in Minnesota and North Dakota while Louie was in the Army. Their first daughter, Pamela Lou, was born on May 31, 1945, in Des Moines IA. Lewis was honorably discharged from the Army in February 1946 and a second daughter, Jacquelyn Margaret, was born February 11, 1947 in Lanesboro MN. They returned to Iowa where Lewis farmed with his uncle in Van Buren County, and on September 12, 1950 a third daughter, Regina Gaye was born. In March 1952 they moved to Meadowland Farm, Goldfield IA, the Nelson family homestead.

Once the children were all in school, Margaret went back to college to get a teaching certificate and the following year began teaching second and third grades. She continued her own studies to get her Bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1968, and began teaching middle school reading. She was active in Evergreen Sporting Association, Bayview and Oak Ridge as well as participating in choir, bible study, and other activities of the United Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed trail rides on her horse and Donkey and Mule Days, held in the family timberland. After she retired from teaching in 1980; Marg and Louie wasted no time hitting the road in their motor home, traveling in the USA, Canada and Mexico. For ten years, they spent their winters in Arizona, and went to Scandinavia before Lewis died in 1996. and to be near her west coast daughters. In 1997 Margaret moved to Salem, OR where she attended First Presbyterian Church, played golf, bridge, the piano and continued to read, knit, and collect antiques. On July 8, 2012, Margaret died of heart failure and pneumonia at Capital Manor, her "home away from home". A memorial service was held at Capital Manor Retirement Community, Salem, OR on July 13, 2012. Graveside service and interment will be at 10:30AM August 18th at Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield IA, to lay her ashes beside lifelong love, Lewis A. Nelson. A Celebrate of Life will begin at 11:30 at the Presbyterian Church.

Gone before her are her parents, Harry and Elizabeth Lyons, and older sister Betty. Those who remain sorely miss her: sister, Pat; brother, Ted (Virginia); daughters, Pamela, Jacquie (John), and Regi (Steve); her beloved grandchildren, Jacqueline (Blair), Sarah (Daniel), Matthew (Amy), and Christopher (Emily); her great-grandchildren, in whom she delighted, Gavin, Kai, Dylan, Ian and Natalie Margaret. Throughout the years many more enjoyed her humor, good company and commitment to friends and family.

The family would like to send special thanks to the staff at Manor Care I for the excellent, compassionate care given to Margaret, and the kindness extended to us; and to Willamette Valley Hospice, for providing end of life support with dignity and as much comfort as possible. Memorials to honor Margaret may be sent to the family to be as she wished or to the Presbyterian Church in Goldfield. May she rest in peace.

Statesman Journal -- Salem, Oregon
July 28, 2012