Barbara Nelson

Barbara Ann (Phillips) Nelson passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 17, 2007, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by members of her family. She is loved by many as a wife, mother, sister, and friend to all and will be remembered for her unending commitment to her family and her determined and fun spirit.

She was born June 2, 1943, in Atlantic, the daughter of Boyd K. and Leta Anna (Neuman) Phillips. Barbara attended Lewis Community School and graduated from Walnut Community School. She received her Associates degree from Iowa Western Community College and her BA in Business Administration from Bellevue University.

She married Dennis R. Nelson, June 29, 2002, after an 18 year courtship. The couple spent much of their time with family and friends in Iowa, Connecticut, and California. Barbara was a very hard worker and committed professional, a member of the Big Bucks Bridge Club and participated in several civic activities.

Barbara served a 24 year tenure at the Atlantic School District where she held several progressively senior positions and recently retired from the position of School Business Manager and Board Secretary.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Dennis and her son Steve Judd and his wife Natalie and their children David (4) and Matthew (20 mos) of New Haven, Connecticut and her daughter Sheri Smith and her husband Kevin and their children, Karly (8) and Kaleb (5) of Neola, Iowa, and step-son Creighton Nelson and his wife, Sarah and their children Britney (3) and Alex (4 mos) of Griswold, Iowa; her brother, Dennis "LeRoy" Phillips and his wife Elaine of Lewis, Iowa.

Barbara was preceded in death by both her parents as well as a brother, Dwayne Boyd Phillips, who died in infancy.
The funeral service celebrating the life of Barbara Nelson will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 20, 2007, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic with the Reverends Dennis and Sally Meyer officiating. A luncheon will be served in the church fellowship Hall, following the service.
Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakland, Iowa.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, beginning at 12 Noon, with the family present from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

The family is requesting that memorial gifts be made to the American Cancer Society in Barbara's memory.