Saranne Nelson

Saranne Nelson, 85, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016, at her home.

Saranne "Sally" Keasey Nelson, the daughter of Cecil Floyd and Martha Ruth (Allen) Keasey was born March 19, 1930, on a farm north of Wiota, Iowa. The family moved to the Anita area in 1935. She attended the Anita School graduating with the class of 1947. She taught country school in Lincoln Township for one year. She was married to Curtis Nelson July 3, 1948. They farmed west of Exira. She was active in 4-H, serving as a 4-H leader for several years. She was baptized and confirmed into the Exira Lutheran Church in 1952. In January 1977, they moved to Ames, Iowa. She worked 10 years at A.J. August Menswear in Ames, then in the Story County Auditor's office until retirement in 1995. She was a member of the Silver Sattelite Chapter ABWA serving as secretary, treasurer and president. In 1990, she was selected as Woman of the Year and served as delegate to the National Convention in Dallas, TX. She was an associate member of the Iowa Society of Land Surveyors. Sally served as a volunteer for the Iowa Games in Ames for eight years, first in the swimming venue, then in the equine.

She and Curtis moved to Anita, Iowa, in April of 1995. She became a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in December 1995. She served as vice president and president of the LWML, an associate member of the Anita Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Anita Garden Club holding offices of secretary, vice president and president, and a long-time member of the Busy Bees. She enjoyed volunteering for 12 years at the Anita Public Library and served on the Care Review Committee for Colonial Manor for several years. She much enjoyed a gourmet cooking class she attended. She enjoyed traveling and visiting with her children and grand-children. She transferred church membership to Zion Lutheran Church when they moved to Atlantic in 2007. She joined the Joy Circle of the LWML and served as co-chair for one year.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis; her parents; an infant sister, Carol Jean; her sister, Margaret (husband, H.M.) Buckalew; sisters-in-law, LaVerna (Raymond) Nelson, Bernice (Raymond) Nielsen, Virginia (LeRoy) Corwin; and son-in-law, Bill Bernard.
Surviving Sally are her four children, Kristine (Ken) Bonk of Chattanooga, TN, Margaret (Joe) Cook of Des Moines, IA, James (Leann) Nelson of Aurora, NE and Joseph (Aimee) Nelson of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Eric Bonk, Adam Bonk and Sarah (James Farrell) Bonk; step-grandchildren, Becky Shafer and Anthony Shafer; great-grandchild, Joshua Bonk; Aslaug and Ottar Degnes and sons, Marius and Lars Jorgen of Orje, Norway, former exchange student; Harriet Alff, long-time friend and co-conspirator; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery west of Exira.

Hockenberry Family Care of Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.