In Loving Memory of Peggy Ann Nelson
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Peggy Nelson, a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, who left us on January 16th at the age of 93. Her life was a testament to love, resilience, and dedication to her family.
Peggy was born on July 5th, 1931, in Exira, Iowa, to her parents, Lloyd and Bernice Jorgensen. Peggy was married to Merle Turner and was blessed with two children, David and Linda. This marriage ended in divorce, and she later married Eugene Andersen where she was blessed with another son, Danny. Unfortunately, this union was met with tragedy, as Eugene suddenly passed away when Danny was just a baby. Peggy went on to meet and marry the man she would spend the rest of her life with, Clifford Nelson and to this union three children were born, Lisa, Dale and Lori.
Clifford and Peggy were married August 6th, 1959, and enjoyed 64 years of marriage before Clifford’s passing in 2023. They made their home in multiple places, mostly raising their children in Manning, Iowa. Once the kids were grown, they spent several years in Omaha, Nebraska, later retiring to Des Moines, Iowa. Before moving to Independent Living at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, they enjoyed living with their daughter Lori in Grinnell, Iowa, for 4 years. Fortunately, overall, Peggy enjoyed good health and was able to live out her remaining years in Independent Living at Ramsey Village.
Peggy was an outgoing woman, who cherished her family and her friends. While her younger children were in school, she sold Avon and enjoyed visiting, having coffee, and selling her product to the local ladies. After retirement, she was very active in her church in Des Moines, Glen Echo Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She also volunteered many years at both Iowa Methodist downtown and Methodist West, and whenever she was a patient, very proudly would tell her nurses that she used to be a volunteer. She loved family holidays, especially the Fourth of July where you could always find all her children with her, celebrating the closeness of the extended family and then her birthday the following day.
Peggy is survived by her children; David Turner of Galena, Illinois, Linda and husband Gary Knueven of Manning, Iowa, Danny Andersen and wife Linda Capcara, Phoenix, Arizona, Lisa Nelson of LaGrange Park, Illinois, Dale and wife Lesli Nelson of Pella, Iowa and Lori and husband Mike Novelli of Ferryville, Wisconsin. Sisters Twila Ballard of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Janet (Glen) Nelson of Atlantic, Iowa, and brother Phil (Pat) Jorgensen of Clarinda, Iowa, sister-in-law Darlene McConnell of Atlantic, Iowa, nineteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eugene Andersen, her husband Clifford Nelson, daughter-in-law Linda Turner, granddaughters Erin and Elizabeth Nelson, great-granddaughter Miranda Knueven, father-in-law Walter (Ted) Nelson, mother-in-law Ina Littlefield Ernst, sister Corrine Christensen, sister-in-law Phyllis Sheer, brothers-in-law Emmert Christensen, Edwin Sheer, and Mike McConnell.
According to her wishes, her body has been cremated, and no funeral services will be held. Interment at the Exira Cemetery and a Celebration of Life are being planned for a later date.
