Beverly Nelson

Beverly Ann (Smith) Nelson, age 90 of Atlantic, Iowa died at the Heritage House in Atlantic on Thursday, April 7, 2022. She was born the daughter of Christopher and Christina (Andersen) Smith on August 9, 1931, in Audubon County, Iowa. Beverly grew up in Brayton, Iowa. She graduated from Exira High School, then attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, IA where she played on the women’s basketball team. After AIB, she worked for Atlantic Municipal Utilities where she was a receptionist.

On February 2, 1956, Beverly was united in marriage to Leland Lester Nelson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Two children, Becky and Lynn were born to this union. Beverly was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young. In 1971, she went to work for the Atlantic School System in their food service department. Yes, she was a “Lunch Lady” for over 20 years and talked often of the fond memories she had from those years – both of her co-workers and the many kids who crossed her lunch line.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Cass County Hospital Auxiliary and Friends of the Danish Museum. Beverly loved her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved all sports and spent many hours sitting in the stands at her children’s sporting events and then watching her grandchildren. She’d watch sporting events on TV, especially the Cyclones of ISU. Beverly loved to quietly sit and work on her word search puzzles.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leland; her sister, Doris Christensen and brother, Dean Smith; and two nieces. She is survived by her children, Becky (Evan) Case of Stewartville, MN and Lynn Nelson of Ankney, IA; grandchildren, Caleb (Calla) Case, Cody (Suzanne) Case, Caitlin (Robert) Viren, Courtney Nelson and Claire Nelson; great grandchildren, Ruby, Joely, Laurel, Tucker, Penelope, Margot, Deacon & Rylee; two nephews, a niece and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic with Rev. Lauri Boysen officiating. Burial will be at the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic following a luncheon. Visitation with the family present will be 1 hour before services at the church. Memorials can be made to Heritage House and can be left or mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 523 - Atlantic, IA.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic is caring for the Nelson family at this time, and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com. This service will also be webcasted from her obituary page at Schmidt Family Funeral Home website.