Julia Elizabeth Nelson, age 84, of Atlantic, IA, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Cass Health in Atlantic, IA.
Julia Elizabeth (Hemsted) Nelson was born to John and Mildred Hemsted on October 20th,1939, in Pocatello, ID. In early 1944, the Hemsteds’ moved to the family farmstead near Griswold. Julia attended school in the Atlantic area and graduated with the Class of 1957.
Julia married the “love of her life,” Dave Nelson, on April 18, 1957. Her greatest joy in life was being a mother to Jeff, Tim, Sue, Cindy, Curt, and Pam. Julia had an immeasurable capacity for being firm yet fair; a realist and a dreamer, a hard worker but easy going and for being her family’s biggest cheerleader. To know Julia was to hear about her children, grandchildren, and great–grandchildren at every encounter, with the expectation that you would be able to keep everyone straight all the time.
In 1973, Julia started her career at The Heritage House as a CNA, ultimately working her way up to the position she was most proud of, Physical Therapy Assistant. Julia was a natural caregiver, which led to her role as a PTA being a perfect fit for 40+ years. After a brief attempt at retirement, Julia returned to work at Atlantic Specialty Care as their Activity Director for 9 years, where she was known for throwing the best holiday parties and her craft ideas.
Hours and hours were spent by Julia pushing her needle, cross stitching countless baby blankets for her great-grandchildren, as well as quilts for her daughters and granddaughters. Julia was a seasoned shopper, always up for a trip to the city for lunch, nails, and retail therapy. Traveling was something she always made time for, whether it was fishing in Canada, or snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. Above all, Julia’s favorite hobby was spending time with her family.
Julie embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in 2017, when she reconnected with her “soulmate”, Russ Bergmann. They spent the next three years loving, living, and exploring together. Be it an RV tour of the West Coast, zip-lining in the tropics, or sky-diving at 80 years old, Julia’s travels with Russ were some of the happiest moments of her life.
With her family by her side, Julia took her final trip on February 25th, 2024, into the arms of those who have passed; her husband, Dave Nelson, her granddaughter, Holly Nelson, her parents, John and Mildred Hemsted, her sister Margie Herbert (Wayne), niece Ramona Herbert, her in-laws Mervin and Juanita Nelson, brother-in-law Gene Nelson, son in law Michael Steffens and her soulmate Russell Bergmann.
Those left to cherish her memory include her six children and bonus daughter, 18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
Open visitation with family will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, IA, with Pastor Dan Wiebesiek officiating. A luncheon will be held following the service in the reception hall of the United Methodist Church.
The interment will take place at Atlantic Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are handled by the staff of Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.
