Dorothy Marie Nelson

Dorothy Marie Nelson, the daughter of Nels P. and Clara Hansen Esbeck, was born June 28, 1918, at her parents farm east of Kimballton, Iowa. Dorothy went home to be with the Lord on February 4, 2010, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 91years, 7 months, and 6 days.
Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. She attended Kimballton Public School and then helped on the family farm near Exira, Iowa.
On August 15, 1936, she was united in marriage to Leonard R. Nelson of Exira in Maryville, Missouri. One son LaVerne was born to this union. They farmed west of the Kimballton Creamery for many years. Dorothy worked right along side with her husband milking, raising stock cattle and doing field work. Her pride and joy was raising chickens, taking care of the layers and the eggs that were produced. She had several hundred chickens every spring. She enjoyed the outdoors, always had a large garden, and loved growing her flowers and enjoyed her cats. Dorothy took great pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In early 1977, she and Leonard bought their first farm, forty acres, near Elk Horn, Iowa. They were very proud and happy to have their own farm. Leonard died January 30, 2006. Dorothy continued to live on the farm until January of 2007. Due to her failing health, Dorothy moved to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn where she resided. Dorothy was a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband, Leonard, was her son: LaVerne Nelson; her parents; her sister: Mildred and her husband Melvin Staldorf; and her brother: Robert N. Esbeck.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law: Marilyn Nelson of Elk Horn, Iowa, her grandchildren: Cheri and husband Mike Mahoney of Monroe, North Carolina, Lee Nelson of Elk Horn, Paul and wife Kim Nelson of Dexter, Iowa, and Nancy and husband Kelly Britton of Elk Horn; her great grandchildren: Holly Mahoney and Samantha Mahoney both of Monroe, North Carolina, Cassandra Nelson and Raini, Cole, and Kailey Britton all of Elk Horn; her sister-in-law: Pat Esbeck of Elk Horn, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Monday, February 8, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 2:00 P.M. at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa.