Erma Elvira Nelson

Erma Elvira Nelson, the daughter of Andrew and Mary Johnson Hansen, was born May 28, 1919, at her parents home east of Audubon, Iowa in Melville Township, Audubon County an died January 13, 2011 at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 91 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
Erma was baptized at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon and confirmed at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. She attended Elk Horn Public School through the 8th grade and then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1936. Erma taught rural school for four years in Melville Township, Audubon County, Iowa.
On April 6, 1941, she was united in marriage to Danzel V. Nelson at Our Saviours Lutheran Parsonage in Audubon, Iowa by Pastor Theo Jensen. Five sons: Roland, David, DeWayne, Roger and Bill were born to this union. Erma was a homemaker for many years raising her family and helping Danzel operate their farm. She always had a large garden and raised chickens, ducks and geese. Erma was employed on a part-time basis at the Exira Post Office and then in 1968, transferred to the Audubon Post Office where she was a full time mail carrier. She later was the full time clerk at the Exira Post Office until she retired after working for the Postal Service for 22 and a half years. Danzel was in failing health and Erma cared for him until he died on January 10, 2002. Erma continued to live on the farm until she moved to The Friendship Home in Audubon on December 30, 2010.
Erma was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church, and the Naomi Circle. She was a member of the sewing group and helped make quilts. She loved to play cards and was a member of several card clubs. Erma, for many years, was a member of the Exira Red Hats, the Audubon County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and was a member of the Exira Care Center Review Board. Erma enjoyed working at the Chatterbox Caf for many years and visiting her many friends at The Friendship Home and the Exira Care Center. Erma enjoyed socializing with her friends especially Cleo Wiskus and her Saturday morning breakfast with Lovila Hansen.
Erma was preceded in death by her husband Danzel V. Nelson; her son DeWayne Nelson; her daughter-in-law Jean Nelson; her parents; her mother and father-in-law Andrew and wife Bertha Nelsen; her brother Alvin and wife Norma Hansen; her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Frank Nissen; Rosa and husband Harry Albertsen; Violet and husband Leo Christensen.
She is survived by her sons: Roland Nelson of Des Moines, Iowa; David and wife Becky Nelson of Des Moines; Roger and wife Evelyn Nelson of Exira, Iowa; Bill and Sharon Nelson of Exira; her daughter-in-law: Jane Nelson of Jefferson, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 8 step grandchildren; 14 step great grandchildren; 4 step great-great grandchildren; her sister and brother: Viola and husband Herb Skinner of Mesa, Arizona; Burdette and wife Ruth Hansen of Bonita, California; her sister-in-law: Elaine and husband Alvin Christensen of Exira; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock and Pastor Ray Holmquist on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa.