Twila Nelson, age 66 of Adair, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by loved ones singing Jesus Loves Me and reading Scripture. She passed from one temporary worship service to a heavenly one, on Thanksgiving evening Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Anita. Private burial will be at the Bear Grove Cemetery in rural Guthrie County.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the New Life Baptist Church in Adair.
Twila Jane Nelson was born to Leo and Hyila Freeman, February 17, 1959 in Jefferson, Iowa. All her life, Twila was kind, gentle, funny, and had an infectious laugh. She was creative, and enjoyed sewing, embroidery, music, reading, and especially gardening. She loved going to church and doing church activities. In more recent years, she and her husband were part of the New Life Baptist Church plant in Adair and she loved to share about her Sunday School class that she taught.
However, her life wasn’t always easy. Twila was only 11 years old when her mother became ill and she became a caregiver to her ill mom and little brother. Then, at 18 years old, Twila’s father passed away. She had a lot of responsibility on her shoulders for a young girl. Nevertheless, with God’s grace she persevered and thrived. She attended Jefferson Elementary School and graduated in 1978 from Jefferson Community High School. She then attended Central College in Pella, Iowa and studied elementary education. She moved to California and lived with her college roommate’s family, the Fosters. Mrs. Foster, Dorothy, was like a second mom to Twila. She met her husband Larry while in California, at a square dance, and they were married May 12,1984. To this union five children were born. Andrew (Hannah) of Stratford IA, Jacob (Tabitha) of Pilot Mound IA, Noah (Kayla) of Ogden IA, Dorothy (Ben) of Adair IA, and Elijah of Omaha NE.
Twila was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers William (aka Bill) Freeman, Charles (aka Arden) Freeman, and sister Mary (aka Harriette) Ayers.
Her surviving siblings are David (Susan) Freeman, Jolena (Rick) Olson, Valeria (Gary) West, John (MaryAnn) Freeman, Katie Swaink, Wanda (Kenny) Richards, and Ramonia (Doug) Waldo.
Twila is also survived by her husband Larry of 41 years, her 5 children and their spouses, and 14 grandchildren who called her Nana.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Life Baptist Church in memory of Twila. These can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, Iowa 50022.
