Mrs. Lois Marie Nelson, age 93, of Exira, IA, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the MJ Estates – Exira Care Center.
Lois Marie Nelson was born on March 17, 1932, in Audubon County – Hamlin Township, daughter of Marius and Hanna (Larsen) Christensen. Lois was baptized on May 8, 1932, at the Hamlin Lutheran Church, and was later confirmed there on April 14, 1946. She attended Hamlin #4 through the 8th Grade. After the 8th Grade, Lois helped her father on the farm until she got married.
On March 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to Richard Dale Nelson at the Lutheran Parsonage in Audubon. The couple raised chickens, hogs, dairy cows, and were row crop farmers. In 1958, the couple purchased a farm in Oakfield Township. To this union were born 3 children: twin daughters Denise and Donna, and one son, David. The family continued to farm, milk cows, and enjoyed watching the girls show horses, and David show his sheep in their spare time. The couple retired from farming and moved to Atlantic in 1995. Richard and Lois enjoyed spending time with family and friends and playing cards. Shortly after Richard died, Lois moved to Audubon in June 2016 and later to MJ Estates Assisted Living in Exira in September 2022. During her working years, Lois was a school bus driver for the Exira Community School and also worked in housekeeping at the Wise Hotel and Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.
Lois was a fantastic baker. She loved making sweet treats and enjoyed eating caramel bugles. In her free time, Lois was often found cleaning the house or heading off to her grandkids’ activities to be their biggest supporter. Richard and Lois were very dedicated to their children and grandchildren, regularly attending horse shows, sheep shows, and all school-related events for the Exira Vikings and Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Spartans. Their presence at school and community events has been greatly missed by many, as declining health and limited mobility have made it difficult for them to attend those activities.
Preceded in death would be her Husband, Richard; Son-In-Law, Ted Hansen; Parents, Marius and Hanna Christensen; Brother & Sister-In-Law, Harvey and Silva Christensen; and a Nephew, Jody Christensen.
Lois is survived by her children; Denise (Larry) Kendle of Audubon, Donna Hansen of Audubon, David (Heather) Nelson of Exira; Brother, Bernard (Barb) Christensen of Audubon; Grandchildren, T.J. Hansen of Brayton, Justin (Beth) Hansen of Exira, Chelsea Nelson of Tontitown, AR and her significant other Nick Enfield of Maxwell, IA, Chansea Nelson of Omaha, NE; Great-Grandchildren, Hayden Hansen of Persia, and Brey Hansen of Exira.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Exira Event Center in Exira, with Rev. Lori Shannon officiating the service. Interment will take place at the Exira Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the committal at the Exira Event Center.
Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, one hour before the funeral, at the Event Center.
Memorials may be directed to the Lois Nelson Family. They will be designated at a later date in her memory; they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.
Funeral services are entrusted with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira.
