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Yvonne Nelson

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Yvonne Nelson, 91, of Elkader, died Sunday, December 4, 2016, at the Elkader Care Center. She was born in Ayrshire, Iowa, January 7, 1925, to Hilda (Kuehl) and Dr. William Dohrer. Yvonne was baptized at Friedens Evangelical Church in Elkader and confirmed April 2, 1939, by Rev. Paul Kitterer at the same church. Yvonne attended grade school in Ayrshire, Iowa, Elizabeth Town, Kentucky, and graduated from Elkader High School in 1942.

She was united in marriage to Leighton Nelson June 6, 1942, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa. They were blessed with two children, Eddie and Elaine. Elaine was killed in a car accident in 1987. The couple farmed with Leighton’s parents until 1950, when they purchased the farm they shared for 68 years. Yvonne farmed side by side with her husband, Leighton, milking cows, baling hay and gave up family gatherings by 3:00 every day because it was time to milk those cows! 

Yvonne enjoyed ceramics, crocheting afghans (she made sure all the kids got one). She made lots of Mr. & Mrs. Claus dolls which she gifted to her family and many friends. At Christmas-time she would bake “animal cookies” which were sugar cookies made in the shape of animals. She would frost and freeze them ahead of time and then share an ice cream pail full to family. Yum!

We would always find her with the newspaper opened up to the crossword puzzle, and the crossword dictionary close at hand.

In 2010, Leighton and Yvonne became residents of the Elkader Center due to health issues. They had celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary just a few days before in their farm home. As a resident of the Care Center, Yvonne enjoyed playing cards.  

Yvonne is survived by her son, Eddie (Lois) of rural St. Olaf; ten grandchildren, Lori (Joe) Vlazny, Tracy (Bob) Kurdelmeyer, Julie (David) Bergan, Molly (Steve) Holthaus, Jeff (Brenda) Nelson, Kari (Brett) Meyers, Sherry Balice, Deanna McInerney, Tammy (Steve) Johnson, Jeff (Megan) Milburn; twenty-three grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Arleen Thurn of Elkader; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010, daughter, sister, Charlotte Kramer and brother, Bill Dohrer.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader. Interment followed at East Side Cemetery, Elkader. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2016, at the funeral home and after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Leonard Funeral Home & Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left with www.leonardfuneralhomes.com.

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