Shirley Nelson

Shirley L. Nelson, 84, of Cedar Falls, died, Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. She was born May 10, 1930, in Waterloo, the daughter of Harold C. and Ethel (Stafford) Othmer. Shirley graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1948. Shirley and Dale Nelson had their first date when she was 16. The romance blossomed and they were married on May 13, 1951 in Cedar Falls. Motherhood followed a year later and over time the family grew to five children. Being a homemaker, wife and mother fulfilled Shirley's dream. The family lived in Oelwein, Iowa from 1963 to 1979, She was an active mom, cheering the children on in their activities, especially sports. After the children finished high school, Shirley and Dale returned to Cedar Falls and have lived in the house Shirley grew up in since 1980. Shirley earned her private pilot license in 1989, joining a very distinguished group of women pilots. Together with Dale, also a pilot, they flew their plane on adventures to Alaska and New York. Shirley was an active member in EAA Chapter 227 in Waterloo. The family loved Canadian and Minnesota fishing trips. Gardening, raising orchids and hosting family gatherings leave special memories with her family. Survivors include her four sons, Peter (friend Sandy) Nelson of Cedar Falls, Cy (Mona) Nelson of Decorah, Iowa, Mark (Chris) Nelson of Ames, Iowa and Wade (Sandra) Nelson of Los Osos, California; a daughter, Krista Nelson, of Cedar Falls; ten grandchildren, Aaron Nelson, Rae Lynne (Justin) Chase, Carissa (fiance' Clint Croy) Nelson, Evan (Kari) Nelson, Seth (Jennifer) Nelson, Taylor (Kristen) Nelson, Harmony Nelson, Abraham Nelson, Indie Mae Nelson, Vanden Nelson, and five great grandchildren, Xander and Saeli Chase, Claire, Paige and Spencer Nelson. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, on January 13, 2014; her parents; a granddaughter, Jana Elizabeth Nelson; a brother-in-law, Ross Nelson, and her mother and father-in-law, Carl F. and Alta K. (Hansen) Nelson. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2014, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, with burial at Greenwood Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be one hour before service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Nazareth Lutheran Kitchen Fund. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.