Bertha Marie Nelson

Bertha Marie Nelson, age 92 of Wahoo, formerly of Mead, died Saturday April 30, 2016 in Wahoo. She was born January 4, 1924 at Council Bluffs, IA to William and Mary (Frary) Mayberry. Bertha Marie attended Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs. On March 5, 1948, she was married to LeRoy E. Nelson in Council Bluffs. They lived on the Nelson family farm near Mead and later moved into town at Mead, and later to Wahoo. Bert was a member of the Alma Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, served as Sunday School teacher and secretary and treasurer of the Sunday School. She was a Junior Missionary Teacher, director of Vacation Bible School and prepared Sunday School attendance certificates for 16 years. She enjoyed bowling and was chairman of the Monday Women's Bowling League. Bert was a member of the MarriEttas Extension Club and served as chairman, secretary and historian for that group. While living in Mead, she was on the Mead Library Board and assisted with "Story Time" there. Bertha Marie was a member of the Lower Platte North NRD Auxiliary. In 1945 she was a princess in the Railroad Pageant in Council Bluffs. She was a member of the Iowa Rainbow Division women's group in Iowa. Bert was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy Nelson; her parents William and Mary Mayberry; her brother William Mayberry Jr. and sister-in-law Lois Mayberry; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Fred and Esther Nelson; her sisters-in-law Ruth Olson and Norene Lindahl; and her brother-in-law Harold Wheeler. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Robert and Dione Nelson of Mead; sisters Evelyn (Doug) Van Horn of LaVista and Lucille Wheeler of North Carolina; grandchildren Chris (Molly) Nelson of Yutan, David (Alyssa) Nelson of Colon, Shawn (Stevie) Nelson of Wahoo, Katie (Brandon) DeGroff of Yutan, Grant Nelson and Reid Nelson, both of Mead; and 8 great-grandchildren. Rev. Andrew Dietzel will officiate at the funeral. Memorials may be made to the Alma Lutheran Church. Casket Bearers will be Christopher Nelson, David Nelson, Shawn Nelson, Reid Nelson, Grant Nelson and Brandon DeGroff.