Emma "Em" D. (Eekhoff) Nelson

Emma D. Nelson, 87, died July 27, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester surrounded by her children, grandchildren and good friend Marj. Services will be Saturday, August 12 at 11 a.m. at the Goodell Community Hall with Pastor Karen Foster officiating. Burial will be at the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation and sharing of memories will take place one hour prior to the service at the Community Hall, and will continue after the service.

Em was born June 27, 1930 in Kanawha. She accepted Christ around the age of 8, and was baptized soon after that decision. The daughter of George and Hannah (Eenhuis) Eekhoff, she met Robert D. “Ozzie” Nelson in the late 1940’s at the Goodell Community Hall. They were married January 4, 1948 in Clarion.

Em through the years worked several jobs, but her favorite was as a Mary Kay cosmetics consultant. Her passion, however, was at home cooking wonderful meals and favorites for her family. She and Ozzie spent their recreation time golfing, and Em became one of the area’s best female golfers. She was a club champion at both the Clarmond and Belmond Country Clubs in the 1960’s and 70’s. Some of her fondest memories were wintering with Ozzie in Florida. Later in life, she and her friend Marj could be found on the area Bingo circuit. Em was a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband; brother George Eekhoff; and sisters Marie (Don) Riggs and Cindy (Bill) Buenting.

She is survived by her sons Terry (Carla) Nelson of Rochester, MN and Tyler Nelson of Thornton; daughter Tammy (Wayne) DuVall of Goodell; grandchildren Jeremiah, Joshua and Jonathan Nelson, Anna DuVall, and Spencer Nelson; brothers Jake Eekhoff of Aitkin, MN and Hemmo Eekhoff of Belmond; sister Hannah Mack of Kennewick, WA; special caregiving friends Cathy Troll of Cedar Rapids, Phil Seely of Belmond, Marj Aldrich of Rowan, and Marcha Willwerth of Belmond.

Memorials may be directed to VFW Auxiliary Post 4244, 240 E. Main, Belmond or the Belmond Historical Society, 223 E. Main, Belmond, IA 50421.