Jean Marie Nelson

Jean Nelson passed away in Omaha on January 23, 2021, from complications after a fall. Many thanks to the staff of Brookestone Meadows for their heartfelt care the past 8 weeks.

Jean is survived by daughter, Marva (Jim) Holt; grandchildren Deanna (Matt) Unruh and Ryan Nelson Holt; great-grandchildren, Banner, Piper and River Unruh; nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by beloved husband, Frank Nelson; daughter, Kristi Nelson; parents, Chris and Marie Grover; brothers, Marvin, Ronald and Seymour Grover.

Because of Jesus, Jean has had a happy, satisfying life here on earth. Because of Jesus, the best part of her life has just begun.



(written by Jean a few years ago, always trying to make Marva’s life easier 😊)

Jean was born on May 3, 1932, to Chris (a/k/a ‘Chic’) and Marie Grover in Valley, Nebraska. She attended school there and graduated with the class of 1949. Brothers Ronald, Marvin and Seymour developed a competitive spirit and a toughness of body and character that served her well throughout her life. Jean attended Wayne State College and taught country school for three years near Waterloo, Nebraska.

Jean married Frank Nelson (the love of her life) on May 23, 1953. They were blessed with daughters, Marva and Kristi, who also became dear friends.

Frank was a farmer near Emerson, Nebraska, and that was a new thing for Jean. Cooking was also a new thing for Jean, but she was a quick learner! The strong body that her brothers had encouraged was friendly to outdoor farm work, and her dad had taught her how to raise a productive vegetable garden. Frank patiently taught her to drive tractors, pitch hay, scoop corn, and work daily with a cattle herd. In the learning process, she occasionally would make a mistake but she’d tell him that he couldn’t fire her because he never hired her! They were a team in everything they did.

At age 29, Jean realized that she needed God and she surrendered her life to the Lord Jesus. He gave her a spiritual heart transplant and a peace with God she had never known existed. What joy to become involved in the work of the Lord ever after.

Partial retirement allowed Frank and Jean to become Arizona fans during the winter months. It was a favorite place where Jean enjoyed tennis. She played doubles tennis until age 77, always happy to announce when she won! (Marva’s addition to this story 😊)

In 2003, Frank and Jean moved to Omaha and became city slickers. They have thoroughly enjoyed the Omaha life where many cars drive by their dining room window every minute (many days on the farm saw only the mail man drive by), including many snow plows when it snows (another rarity on the farm). They have thoroughly enjoyed the Omaha life with family and many new friends.

And now the BEST has just begun!