In Memory Of
Barbara Nelson
Barbara Nelson
Memorial services for Barbara Nelson of Topeka, KS, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Topeka, KS. She passed away early Tuesday morning, February 17, 2009 at Lexington Park Nursing Facility after battling ovarian cancer. She was born in Sioux City, IA, on February 13, 1927, to Mildred Draper Menard and Alexis Joseph Menard. She attended schools in Spearfish, SD, and graduated from Black Hills State Teachers College (now Black Hills University) in 1947 with a degree in elementary education. At Black Hills State she played piccolo in the marching band and was elected homecoming queen. After graduation she taught in Elgin, IL for a year.
In 1948 she married Carl Gordon Nelson in Spearfish, SD. They lived in Deadwood, Rapid City, and Huron, SD, where Barbara taught elementary school. In 1977 they moved to Topeka, KS, where she continued to teach in Topeka public schools, including Rice, Randolph, and Lowman Hill. In 1981 she received her masters degree from Washburn University and became a reading specialist. Following retirement, Barbara volunteered at the Topeka Public Library and in the public schools as a reading mentor. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka, and Chapter FJ, P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Barbara is survived by three daughters: Rebecca Arkenberg of Stratford, CT, Christine Polson of Omaha, NE, and Melanie Chamley of Frederick, CO; and by six grandchildren: Jason Chamley, Jeff Arkenberg, Gordon Arkenberg, Catherine Wahl, Alexis Chamley, and Andrew Wahl. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, a sister Patricia, and her husband Gordon who died in 1998.
Inurnment will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Spearfish, SD, at a later date. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604, or Cottey College c/o Carolyn Zimmerman, 1041 SW Frazier Ave, Topeka, KS 66604.
In 1948 she married Carl Gordon Nelson in Spearfish, SD. They lived in Deadwood, Rapid City, and Huron, SD, where Barbara taught elementary school. In 1977 they moved to Topeka, KS, where she continued to teach in Topeka public schools, including Rice, Randolph, and Lowman Hill. In 1981 she received her masters degree from Washburn University and became a reading specialist. Following retirement, Barbara volunteered at the Topeka Public Library and in the public schools as a reading mentor. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka, and Chapter FJ, P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Barbara is survived by three daughters: Rebecca Arkenberg of Stratford, CT, Christine Polson of Omaha, NE, and Melanie Chamley of Frederick, CO; and by six grandchildren: Jason Chamley, Jeff Arkenberg, Gordon Arkenberg, Catherine Wahl, Alexis Chamley, and Andrew Wahl. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, a sister Patricia, and her husband Gordon who died in 1998.
Inurnment will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Spearfish, SD, at a later date. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604, or Cottey College c/o Carolyn Zimmerman, 1041 SW Frazier Ave, Topeka, KS 66604.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Nelson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
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