Catherine M. Nelson

Catherine Marie Nelson, daughter of Charles Elmer and Mary Ellen (Ryan) Heldt, was born February 17, 1928 in Albion, Nebraska. Catherine entered eternal rest on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at Clearview Home, Clearfield, Iowa, at the age of eighty-eight years, six months, and twenty-four days.
Catherine graduated from the Albion Public High School in Albion, Nebraska. Catherine received her Normal Training and taught Country School for a short time before her marriage. She was united in marriage to LeRoy Dale Nelson on May 26, 1947 at St. Michael’s Parsonage in Albion, Nebraska. Following her marriage the couple moved to St. Edward, Nebraska, where she kept the books for her father-in-law, Otto Nelson, until 1960. After that, Catherine and Dale purchased the business, which became Nelson Equipment. Catherine would continue book keeping for the business. Their business was sold in 1977 and Dale and Catherine retired. Catherine worked as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant from 1996 through 2000 at a nursing home in Genoa, Nebraska.
Being a “care giver at heart”, Catherine would help people trying to earn their G.E.D. by providing study assistance. Catherine had many interests: She volunteered for “Reach for Recovery”; she loved to play bridge, and was a member of the JSC Bridge club for 70 years; Catherine had formerly been a member of the U.G. Women’s Club. Catherine’s family was central to her and she cared for all of them, especially caring for her daughter Ellen, all of Catherine’s life. She was a huge sports fan and followed her grandchildren’s events faithfully. She was a die-hard Cornhusker fan. Catherine will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish Catherine’s memory are her daughters: Colleen (Bryan) Schwartzkopf, Mapleton, Iowa; Ellen Nelson, Columbus, Nebraska; Cheryl (Rick) Thompson, Corning, Iowa; five grandchildren: Tara Jo Brown; Guy Schwartzkopf; Colt Thompson, Drew Thompson, and Macy Thompson; five great-grandchildren: brother-in-law: Wendell Philmalee, Maple Grove, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Preceding Catherine in death were her husband in 2000; her parents; one brother: Norald Heldt; and two sisters: Rosemary Nelson and Aunt Babe Philmalee.