Myrtle Nelson

Myrtle Irene Nelson, daughter of James and Elsie Marie (Nielsen) Molgaard, was born April 18, 1921, near Sharon in Audubon County, Iowa. Myrtle was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church. She attended school at Sharon #2. Myrtle worked in Kimballton for a short time, then traveled to Kokomo, Indiana to work at a defense plant during W.W.II. After returning to Iowa, she met Russell Ray Nelson and they were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa on June 14, 1947. Four children were born to this union. They farmed east of Elk Horn until retiring in 1972. Myrtle worked at Salem Lutheran Home for 35 years. She was a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and enjoyed helping with quilting there. Myrtle enjoyed caring for her flowers, visiting with her friends, family and above all her grandchildren. On Monday, November 25, 2013, Myrtle died at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn where she had been living since 2009. She was 92 years, 7 months and 7 days of age. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Russell Nelson in 2002; sons Russell Nelson Jr. in infancy and Dennis Lee Nelson in 1976; siblings Ted Molgaard, Sigurd Molgaard, Juletta Petersen, Mae Jeppesen, Ruby Jensen, Maxine Nelson, Sylvia Bobenmoyer, and one brother and one sister in infancy. Myrtle is survived by her children Lavonne (Roger) Mikkelsen of Elk Horn, Lynn (Jody) Nelson of Exira; grandchildren Shandy Mikkelsen, Allison (Guthrie) Steen, Abby (Chris) Chambers, Beth (Chris) Murphy, Adam (Amanda) Karstens, Kayla Nelson, Keenan (Audrey) Nelson, and Amanda (Isaac) Kommes; 19 great grandchildren; brother Merlyn Molgaard of Elk Horn; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitaion Friday, November 29, 2013, 9:00 AM Elk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, Iowa Funeral Service Friday, November 29, 2013, 11:00 AM Elk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, Iowa Rev. Keith Menter, Officiating Congregational Hymns "How Great Thou Art" "Beautiful Savior" Nancy Watson, Accompanist "The Lord's Prayer" - Keith Menter Casketbearers Chris Chambers Adam Carstens Chris Murphy Guthrie Steen Keenan Nelson Isaac Kommes Honorary Casket Bearers Myrtle's Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren Graveside Service Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery, Elk Horn, Iowa