In Memory of Betty M. Nelson

Betty M. Nelson, age 88, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the Sunny View Care Center of Ankeny, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at the Faith Community Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Pastor Michael Nelson will officiate, with committal services to follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, A Visitation will be held one hour prior to service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Faith Community Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Betty Mae Decker Nelson was born July 7, 1928 in Rembrandt, Iowa, the daughter of Ben and Annie (Joachims) Decker.  She was raised in Linn Grove, Iowa in a two bedroom house with 3 brothers and 4 sisters. 

On July 15, 1950 she was united in marriage to Vern L. Nelson.  To this union was born four children:  Ricky Ray, who died shortly after birth, Pamela Sue, Michael Ray, and Terry Lynn.
They lived in Ida Grove and were blessed with over forty years together.

Betty was a member of the Winebrenner Church of God. Her passion was in loving and serving the Lord with all her heart. Much of how she expressed that passion was through music. Betty loved music and used her gift to sing at church, and at weddings and funerals. Her love for Jesus always touched those who listened, and also strengthened her relationship with the Lord. Of course, she wanted to instill that same love of the Lord in her children and said many times “I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk with the Lord.”  

Betty entered her heavenly home on October 22 at Sunnyview Care Center in Ankeny after suffering a stroke on October 15. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Betty is lovingly remembered by her children:  Pamela (Allen) Cornelison of Ankeny, Iowa, Pastor Michael (Patricia) Nelson of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Terry (Janet) Nelson of Franklin, Tennessee, 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren and a sister Dorothy Camp of Linn Grove.  She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, three sisters, her husband, Vern, son Ricky Ray, and a granddaughter Hannah McCall Nelson.

We rejoice with her as she is enjoying her precious Jesus, whom she loved so much in this life.  We are sure the Lord greeted her by saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”