Viola Nelsen

Viola Martha Degner Nelsen, age 96, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2004, at Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Viola was born on July 7, 1907, at Varina, Iowa, the daughter of Fredrick and Wilhelmine Auguste Sophie (Zemke) Degner. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Methodist Church, rural Varina, and a member of the United Methodist Church in Sac City. She attended Varina High School.

On August 24, 1930, Viola was united in marriage to Carl Frederick Nelsen in Newell, Iowa. They lived in Marathon and Lake View until moving to Sac City in 1977. Fred passed away January 10, 1984.

Viola worked as a cook at Frozen Frontier in Lake View until her retirement in 1972. Many kids knew her as “Grandma Nelsen”, as she did childcare in her home for many years.

She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law, and loved to spend time with her family. Despite her impaired vision she continued to make afghans and slippers that are cherished by many. Viola loved to garden and had a productive flower and vegetable garden. She enjoyed traveling and visiting all her children.

Survivors include her three daughters: Corrinne (Dwayne) Sageser of Sac City, Wanda (Greg) McClintock of Brighton, CO, and Nova Lorenzen of Riverside, MO; her son Ed (Marlene) Nelsen of Milford, IA; daughter-in-law Barbara Isenberg of Mankato, MN; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; several step great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Arvilla Degner of Newell, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; husband C. Frederick; daughter Phyllis Graham; son Louis Nelsen; grandson Phillip Graham; son-in-law Larry Lorenzen; her sisters: Agnes Degner, Anna Porath, Malinda Huseman, Edna Porath, and Ella Larsen; and her brothers: Ed, Fred, Albert and Carl Degner.

A memorial service will be at a later date. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City is in charge of arrangements.