Mary Louise Nelson

Mary Louise Nelson, 88, of Van Meter died Monday, December 31, 2012 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 4th at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset with burial to follow in the Thornton McNear Stump Cemetery in Dallas County. A visitation will be held 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 3rd, with family present to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ochiltree Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church or Middle River Hospice of Winterset. On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.ochiltree.com. Mary Louise Goodson was born April 8, 1924 in Dallas County, Iowa; the daughter of John and Florence (Stump) Goodson. Her heritage in Madison and Dallas Counties was something she was very proud of since both her mother’s and father’s families were among the first settlers of both counties. She grew up in Dallas County and graduated from De Soto High School in 1942. Louise was involved in athletics during her high school career, participating in both track and basketball. She married Arnold Nelson on September 24, 1955 at Grandview Lutheran Church in Des Moines. Louise would most wish to be remembered for her work as a farmwife and farmer having spent most of her working career managing the farm alongside her husband. She also worked in the Treasurer’s Office for Madison County as well as working with R & S Printing in Des Moines. She was a 42 year member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was active for many years. She was also a 50 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 232 of Polk City where she took an active role and was especially proud of helping establish an annual fundraising Chicken Noodle Supper which she helped with for over 20 years. Louise also volunteered as an election poll worker for Lee Township of Madison County for many elections. During the 1980’s Louise twice won Living History Farm’s Best Apple Pie competition. This being said, she was an excellent cook who always enjoyed sharing the product of this talent with her family and friends. She also loved gardening, bowling, mushroom hunting and going dancing with Arnold at various places including Lake Robbins. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Arnold Nelson of Van Meter; a son, Ed Nelson (Terrie Kemp) of Van Meter; a daughter, Jean Howe (Richard) of Clive; a sister, Luetta Ray of Seattle, WA; a brother, Junior Goodson (Marin) of Waukee; five grandchildren, Erin Howe, Marie (Tarique) Howe Zaman, Jason Kemp, Jill (Anthony) Kemp Eleftheri and Jerrad (Jenna) Kemp; 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Bernice Davis, Betty Burger and three brothers, James, Donald and Carl Goodson.