Joan Nelson

FRANCIS JOAN "JOANIE" NELSON, 80, of Ogallala, passed away September 18, 2022, at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant.

Joan was born in Ogallala to V. A. "Mike" and Vera L. (Leetsch) Harrington, the seventh of eight children. She was raised in the sandhills of Arthur before her family moved to Ogallala, where she graduated from high school in 1960.

Joanie married Robert "Bob" Nelson at the Berean Church in Ogallala on June 5, 1960. The couple made their home south of Roscoe, and their union was blessed with three sons, Brent, Doug, and Scott.

Joanie cooked at the Roscoe Stuckey's off and on throughout the years until 1982. She spent a few years cooking at Buttons and Bows daycare, which was connected to the Berean Church. After she and Bob moved to Ogallala in 1991, she worked at Prairie View Elementary serving breakfast and lunch for several years.

Joanie's journey in this life was marked and shaped by faith in Jesus. As a young girl, she was stricken with polio; her walk with Christ would remain close throughout her life. She loved reading her Bible and doing devotions.

Joanie had a smile that lifted the people around her and a gregarious demeanor. She loved to bake and was so gifted. Joanie's baking was always a memorable treat, from her chocolate zucchini cake to her cinnamon rolls and everything in between.

In addition to being a wonderful grandma and great grandma, Joanie fostered meaningful connections with her nieces and nephews, who affectionately dubbed her "Aunt Do Da." She also considered her grandchildren's friends to be part of her family. Joanie didn't neglect telling family and friends what they meant to her, especially when sending them one of her famous holiday greetings, always signing off with "you are very special to us" and "we love you."

Joanie will be remembered for her deep faith and the special way that she modeled the love of Christ to her husband and family.

Preceding Joanie in death are her parents; grandson, Hunter Nelson; brothers, Phil, Jack, and Rex Harrington; brothers-in-law, Ray (Donna) Nelson, Norm and Dave Nelson, Jerry Eastman and Ray Moore.

Survivors include her husband, Bob of Ogallala; sons, Brent (Mary Jane) Nelson of Ogallala, Doug Nelson of Greeley CO, and Scott (Rhonda) Nelson of Emerson IA; 10 grandchildren, Pete (Becca) Nelson; Emily Nelson, Byron Nelson; Alexa Nelson, Tyler (Brooke) Nelson, Jon Nelson; Shelbi (Trevor) McDaniel, Riley Nelson, MaKayla (Ethan) Martin, and Brady Nelson; great-granddaughter, Lettie Nelson; great-grandsons, Gavin McDaniel, Nolan McDaniel, Shea Martin, and Acre Nelson; siblings, Wanda Moore, Shirley Eastman, Max (Joyce) Harrington, and Bill (Sally)Harrington; sisters-in-law, Colleen Harrington, Marge Harrington, and Barb Harrington; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don Nelson, Nettie Fae Nelson, and Betty Nelson; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 10:30 am at New Hope Church in Ogallala, with Pastor Matt Waitley officiating. Burial will follow in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 2 pm until 6 pm, at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.

Memorials are suggested to Perkins County Health Services or New Hope Church in Joanie's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.