Caroline Mae Nelson

Caroline Mae (Dunbar) Nelson, 101, of Lafayette, IN, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

She was born on July 24, 1924 in Bowers Station, Indiana to the late Austin Walter and Catherine Irene (Everhart) Dunbar. She attended schools at Bowers, Dover, Shanondale, Darlington, Linden, and graduated from Bowers in 1943. At 14 years old, she worked at the Shanondale telephone for .06 cents an hour which came out to $3.00 a week. She learned to play the piano with "Jesus is Calling" and continued to play both the piano and organ all of her life. Her theme song was "Sweet Home of Prayer."

Caroline married Kenneth Arthur Nelson of Lafayette, Indiana after he returned from World War II. They were married for 73 years before he passed away on October 29, 2019.

Caroline was a 71 year member of the Order of Eastern Star where she served many times as an officer, president, and representative over the years. She joined "White Shriner of Jerusalem" in 1973 where she also served in various roles. Caroline was an advisor for Rainbow for Girls Assembly #7 and as a leader for the Girl and Boy Scouts. In 1959, Grace Evangelical Brethren (EUB) Church asked Caroline to start a preschool at the church which is still operating today as Grace United Methodist School Readiness. In addition to working at the church's preschool, she also served as a Sunday School teacher, Bible school coordinator, a Circle Leader, and was involved with the Trinity United Methodist Women for many years. She joined Lafayette Business and Professional Women, was involved with two book clubs, and a member of Edgewood Club and the Federation of Women's Clubs.

She enjoyed china painting, crafting, crocheting, creating "Caroline's Ceramics", decorating, gardening, canning, house plants, and traveling to all states except Alaska and Louisiana. She also enjoyed travel to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Canada, and Mexico. Caroline loved entertaining friends and family and was always ready for a game of cards or Dominoes. She especially loved large family celebrations with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Patricia Leaman and Edward Nelson; her 3 grandchildren; her 4 great grandchildren; her 2 great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Dunbar; her sisters, Mary Shue, Jo Ann Rodgers, and Nancy Rankin; her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Nelson; her son-in-law, Dan Leaman; and her grandson, Derrick Nelson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 5 to 7 pm at Fisher Funeral Chapel followed by an Eastern Star Service at 7 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11 am at Fisher Funeral Chapel with Pastor Suzanne Clemenz officiating. Entombment will follow in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity UMC in loving memory of Caroline.

You may leave condolences and memories of Caroline on her Tribute Wall.