Cleone Rae Nelson

Cleone Rae Nelson obituary, Grand Junction, CO

Cleone Rae Nelson

Upcoming Events

Sep

5

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First Presbytarian Church

3940 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506

Sep

19

Burial

11:00 a.m.

Crown Hill Cemetery

7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Cleone Nelson Obituary

Visit the Brown's Cremation & Funeral Service website to view the full obituary.

CLEONE RAE NELSON – Cleone Nelson died at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction, CO on August 15, 2025. She was born on January 6, 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Andrew Crawford & Irma Andersen; they lived in nearby Grimes. They moved to Missouri Valley, IA, and then, during World War II they move to Little Rock, AK where her father worked for the American Red Cross. After the war they move to Defiance, IA, and then, when she was in the 5th grade, to Algona, IA, where she lived through High School. She played drums in the Algona High School Band. One of her summer jobs was de-tasseling corn by hand. After graduating from High School she attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She transferred to Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA. Her summer jobs while in college included working summer camps at Lake Geneva, WI and Spirit Lake, IA and supervising activities at Grand View Park in Des Moines, IA. In 1959 she graduated from Cornell with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating she moved to Denver, CO and taught 1st grade in Denver in and Westminster, CO for five years. In later life she was a substitute teacher in Broomfield, Westminster & Thornton. On June 15, 1963 she married Richard Nelson and resided in Denver, Aurora, Pueblo and Lakewood, CO. In 1977 they moved to Broomfield, CO and lived there for 44 years. In 2020, they moved to Grand Junction, CO. One of her great joys was coffee with friends at the Broomfield McDonalds. Also, she and a fellow member of the Lutheran Church of Hope, started weekly coffee ‘The Lutheran Hour’, at McDonalds. In Grand Junction this tradition continued with coffee with friends at Starbucks. She is survived by her husband Richard Nelson and sons Andrew Nelson of Grand Junction and Daniel Nelson (Marian) of Grand Junction and four grandsons, Zach, Caleb, Noah and Titus. Services will be held on September 5th at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction. Burial Services will be held on September 19th at 11:00am at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the First Presbyterian Church’s Organ Fund.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Brown's Cremation & Funeral Service

904 N 7th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Make a Donation
in Cleone Nelson's name

How to support Cleone's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Cleone Nelson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Upcoming Events

Sep

5

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First Presbytarian Church

3940 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506

Sep

19

Burial

11:00 a.m.

Crown Hill Cemetery

7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033