Milly Nelson

Milly Nelson, of Sun City West, left this life for heaven on May 19, 2003, at the age of 80 following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on May 8, 1923, in Gibbon, MN. Milly met her husband, Justin A. "Buzz" Nelson, while attending Luther College, Decorah, IA. She followed Buzz throughout the U.S. in his assignments in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following the war, they settled in Cedar Rapids, IA, where Buzz became the Branch Manager for the Quaker Oats Company. In 1957, they moved to the Chicago area where Buzz worked at the Quakers Oats Headquarters office and then in 1965 for two years to London, England. Milly was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church and Briarwood Country Club. Her husband, Buzz, pre-deceased her on 3/21/2003 after nearly 61 years of marriage. Survivors include her daughters, Jan of Sun City Grand, AZ, and Jenee (Dave) Dettmann of Bettendorf, IA; three grandchildren, Justin (Katie) Dettmann of Lakeville, MN; Lisa (Josh) Hildebrand of Iowa City, IA; and Jacob Dettmann of Bettendorf, IA; and her beloved four-legged friend Ginger. Milly loved people, entertaining, playing bridge and golf, traveling with Buzz to exotic places in over 50 countries and on over 15 cruises, and spending time with her daughters and grandchildren. We will miss her radiant smile, patient guidance, and genuine ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Milly loved the color purple. All her residences were decorated in shades of purple. Her clothes were beautiful - and purple. She even had a golf cart that was purple. Memor-ial services will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, on Saturday, May 24 at 10 AM followed by a lunch in the church's Ruby Hall. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Luther College, Decorah, IA, 52101, Justin and Milly Nelson Scholarship Fund, or to Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13724 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, AZ 85375.