Verla M. Nelson

Verla M. Nelson, 91, of Ottumwa, Iowa passed away on September 20, 2019 at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa. A graveside memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Ottumwa Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the Harvest Room at Oak Meadow Bed & Breakfast, 2814 Oak Meadow Drive, Ottumwa, IA 52501. Donations may be made to Heartland Humane Society Ottumwa. IA. Verla was born May 29, 1928 in Davis County, Iowa to Joseph and Eva Barker. She was a twin and always made it a point to tell people that she had a twin brother named Marvin. Verla graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1946. She went on to attend the Iowa Success School in Ottumwa. Her education was very important to her. Verla was united in marriage to Robert Nelson. She was always proud of Robert and thought that she had married the greatest man on earth, and she had. The couple made their home in Ottumwa, Iowa and were blessed with three beautiful daughters: Cindy, Vicky, and Shelly. Verla was a wonderful mother and prided herself in creating a beautiful home for her family. She enjoyed working with Robert on their home; building, refinishing, doing cement work, painting, sowing grass seed, planting flowers, etc. She was always so pleased when someone would comment on their home when driving or walking by. Verla was the very first recipient of the Ottumwa Beautification Award! Verla loved spending time with family. She loved family vacations and she never missed an opportunity to go boating at Lake Rathbun. In fact, if her family tried to plan an outing anywhere else, Verla's response was usually, "Well, it will depend upon how I feel." That was never her response to boating. She was always ready to go. Verla also loved the holidays. She always made the best divinity with peanut butter, peanut brittle, and Swedish cookies rolled in powdered sugar at Christmastime. She got a kick out of recording Christmas with a hidden recorder. In addition to holiday goodies, Verla made the best rye bread and roast. She was very gifted in the kitchen. Verla retired from the City Assessor's Office in 1984 after twenty-three years of service. She enjoyed her retirement and stayed very busy continuing work around her home and yard, and spending time with family. Verla was not only blessed with three daughters, but sons-in-law too. She always said that they were the boys that she never had and are the best that anyone could ever ask for. She was a proud grandma and great grandma and enjoyed making so many wonderful memories with her grandchildren. Her laughter, strength, and sense of adventure will be greatly missed. Surviving are daughters, Cindy (Michael) Nelson-Thorson of Clive, IA, Vicky (Jeff) Dahlgren of Adel, IA and Shelly Nelson of Ottumwa, IA; two granddaughters, Stacey Nelson-Beadel of Urbandale, IA and Laura (Brandon Ramsuer) Dahlgren of Richmond, VA and one great grandson, Camdyn Nelson Sutton of Urbandale, IA. She is also survived by her sister, Joann McClurg of Bloomfield, IA and several nieces and nephews. Verla was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Nelson on November 6, 1995; two sisters, Evelyn Carlson and Mildred Daugherty, her twin brother, Marvin Barker; and preceded in death by 3 half-brothers - Howard, Richard & Edward Barker . Cemetery Details Ottumwa Cemetery 1302 N. Court St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501

Graveside Service

NOV 6. 11:00 AM (CST)

Ottumwa Cemetery

1302 N. Court St.

Ottumwa, IA 52501