Wanda May Nelson

Wanda May Nelson, the daughter of Nels and Edna (Gerhardt) Pedersen, was born July 27, 1931, in Oakfield Township, Audubon County near Brayton, Iowa and died October 18, 2021, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab in Carroll, Iowa at the age of 90 years, 2 months, and 21days.

Wanda was baptized and confirmed at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton. She attended rural schools and graduated from the Anita High School with the Class of 1948. Wanda then was employed by the City of Atlantic.

On February 3, 1952, she was united in marriage to Gerald LaVerne Nelson at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton. They were blessed with two children, Terri and Keith. Wanda and LaVerne operated LaVerne’s family farm west of Exira, Iowa. They grew row crops and raised livestock for many years until they retired from farming in 1990. Wanda and LaVerne lived on the farm for many years. LaVerne died November 11, 2007. Wanda moved to the Exira Care Center then later to the Allen Place in Atlantic, Iowa.

Wanda was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. She was an avid reader and dearly loved her grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Gerald LaVerne Nelson; her son-in-law, Ted Lannan; her parents; her brothers: Lloyd and wife Norma Jean Pedersen, Wayne and wife Betty Pedersen, and Lyle Pedersen; and her sisters-in-law: Evelyn and husband Leo Petersen, and Doris and husband Vernon Johnk.

Survivors include her children, Terri Lannan of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Keith and wife Cyndi Nelson of Carroll, Iowa; her grandchildren: Jacquetta Lannan and husband Elliot Shmuckler and their children Alexander and Benjamin all of Burlingame, California, Eric Lannan of Denver, Colorado, Sara and husband Jon Glick and their son Anders all of Seattle, Washington, and Ryan and wife Ryam Nelson and their children Jaya and Jayse all of Breda, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 4:00 P.M. at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery west of Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.