Eugenia Nelson

KINGSFORD - Eugenia "Jean" Nelson, 96, formerly of 905 Woodward Ave. in Kingsford, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at the Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community. Jean was born Oct. 11, 1911, in Escanaba, daughter of the late Fred and Beatrice (Foster) Warden. She was raised in Kingsford and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1930. She married Paul Nelson on Dec. 24, 1931. He preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 1981, one month shy of their 50th anniversary. After their marriage, the couple resided in Flint for 14 years; then returned to their roots when they purchased the Spread Eagle Marina which they operated as Nelson Bros. until their retirement. Besides working alongside her husband, Jean had the distinction of serving for more than 20 years as assistant postmistress for the state of Wisconsin's smallest post office in Spread Eagle. Jean was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years, active in the Women's Association, served as a Sunday school teacher and on the board of deacons. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, White Shrine, Iron Mountain-Kingsford Women's Club, Pine Grove Country Club, and for many years the sewing committee of the hospital league. She was an avid collector of antiques and rocks. Her rock collection filled every nook and cranny of her garden and was often bestowed on family and friends. She enjoyed visiting her extended family and many friends as she traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe. Jean was a tenacious survivor and in the past 10 years of declining health was blessed by the presence and help of loving caregivers. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara (Kenneth) Boucher of Sarasota, Fla., Pat (Charles) Cardno of Ellicott City, Md., and Bethany (Robert "Butch") Wedin of Kingsford; nine grandchildren, Sandra (Paul) Bessant of Cannapolis, N.C., Shanna (Scott) Matteo of Tallahassee, Fla., Sally Sunday of Edmond, Okla., Mela (Paul) Cummins of Carmichael, Calif., Cara (Mike) Lauler of Springfield, Va., Krista (Anthony) d'Eustachio of Stockton, Md., Carlyn Lipburger and Brian Wedin, both of Green Bay, Wis., Robert (Carloine) Wedin of West Bend, Wis.; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by one sister, Mildred Brans of Niagara, Wis. and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Edward "Mac", and Donald Warden; three sisters, Carrie Shoquist, Ruth D'Andrea, and Ella Mae Mette; five brothers-in-law, Kie Brans, Nobel Carlson, Armond D'Andrea, Ray Shoquist, and Glenn Mette. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. Rev. Michael March will officiate. A gathering will be held in the church fellowship hall following the service. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Condolences to the family of Jean Nelson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Eugenia Nelson

October 11, 1911 - February 8, 2008