Theodora Antoinette "Teddy" Nelson

1927 - 2017

Theodora "Teddy" Antoinette Nelson

Clive

Theodora "Teddy" Antoinette Nelson, 89, peacefully passed away on February 17, 2017, at Methodist Hospital West.

Teddy was born on May 21, 1927, to Louis and Adelade Parent in Bangor, Maine. Teddy met the love of her life, Dr. Paul Nelson, at Dow Airforce Base in 1951 when he served his country in Bangor, Maine during the Korean War. They married in 1952. After Paul was discharged in 1953, they moved to Des Moines where Paul practiced dentistry and where they raised their family.

Teddy's greatest joy in life was spending time with her loving husband and her three sons, Tom, Jerry and Larry, and their families. Her family was always her biggest priority. She loved attending all her kids many activities and sporting events while they were growing up. As the family grew, Teddy loved being not just a mother and wife but a mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Becoming a grandmother was one of her biggest joys and she had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren. Their activities were her priority. She held great pride in all her family's accomplishments.

She was active in the Catholic Church and was a member of Holy Trinity. Most recently she attended mass at the St. Francis of Assissi satellite parish at Walnut Ridge Retirement Community. She was an avid Hawkeye sports fan and loved attending Hawkeye football games. She enjoyed travel. After the passing of Paul in 2007 she moved to Walnut Ridge where she "had a ball" making new friends, participating in weekly excursions, Wednesday night happy hour, playing cards and more.

Teddy will be remembered for her great sense of humor, positive outlook on life, her kindness and her loving personality. She was always there for anyone who needed her. Her approach to life was guided by her faith. Her physical presence will be missed, but Teddy will live on forever in the loving memories of all who knew her.

Teddy is survived by her son, Tom (Wanda) Nelson and their three children, Shana (Lance) Frederick, Matt (Tashia) Nelson and Jessica (Vincent) Loizzo; son, Jerry (Danise) and their two children, Joy (Josh) Clark, Jennifer Nelson and great-grandchildren Adam Cervetti and Elizabeth Clark; and son, Dr. Larry Nelson (Margie) and their three children, Rachel (Nate) Nelson Matta, Charlie Nelson, and Frankie Nelson; and five great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Susannah, and Violet Theodora Frederick, Raya Loizzo and Ollie Nelson; and nephew, Alfred Parent.

She was preceded in death by husband, Dr. Paul Francis Nelson, parents, brothers Dan, Jerry and Perley.

A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, at Iles-Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines. Burial services will follow at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 24 at Iles-Westover Chapel.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 3580 E.P. True Pkwy #10, West Des Moines, IA 50265.