Janet Ann Nelson

Janet Ann Nelson

Janet Ann Nelson, age 96, died at home in Eureka on September 9, 2023, four weeks after falling and fracturing her hip. Jan was born in Redwood City, CA, and had an active childhood with 3 brothers. Her nursing school education was cut short when she was called home to take care of her mother after a back surgery. While working retail, she met Gerry Nelson who was in between baseball seasons. They were engaged after 2 weeks, and married 6 months later when she was 21 (1948). Gerry was released from his team after irreversibly injuring his pitching shoulder 2 weeks after they married. They moved home to his parents in Washington for a month to regroup, and a job in the lumber industry became available at a sister mill in Eureka, which brought them here. Son Jerry was born in 1951, and daughter Kris in 1953. At the time of Gerry's death in 2019, they had been married 71 years. Jan worked at Daly's department store and did childcare, then returned to college (Humboldt) to get her teaching credential. A very popular teacher, Jan taught at 5 area schools (Worthington, Franklin, Jacobs Junior High and Zane Jr High in Eureka and at CES, a school located on the Humboldt State campus. Of those, CES was her favorite as, by design, it allowed for a great deal of creativity and innovation. At various times she taught grades 5 to 9. Very involved with her students, Jan created positive lasting memories for many of them. She retired at age 62. Jan was also involved with ITEP (Indian Teachers Education Project), served as a foster parent, and worked as a cancer center volunteer. Chronic back pain, which developed in her 50's, didn't allow her to continue her volunteer work as long as she would have wished. She was a voracious reader, loved to shop for bargains, and enjoyed choosing plants and flowers for her gorgeous back yard. Family was of utmost importance to her. She was generous to a fault, with Christmas being her favorite Holiday because it gave her an extra "reason" to gift others. Her positive view of life impressed all who came in contact with her. Jan is survived by her daughter Kris (& Niel), her son Jerry, and her four furry grandbabies: Frisky, Frisco, Tootsie and Cisco. Donations can be made to the Food for Life Lunch Program.