Karen K. Nelson
May 29, 1941 - September 28, 2004

Karen Nelson WILTON, Iowa #45;- Karen K. Nelson, 63, Wilton, died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at her home. Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at Peace Church of Christ United, Bennett. Musical selections will be provided by organist, Lenora Speer, and vocalist, Sarah Horstmann. Casket bearers are Jim Conrad, Aaron Thoma, Matt Horstmann, Dustin Daufeldt, Quentin Daufeldt and Tom Rouse. Honorary casket bearers are Sarah Horstmann, Wade Nelson and Logan Nelson. Burial will be at Inland Cemetery, Bennett. Visitations are 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton, and one hour prior to services Friday at the church. A memorial has been established. Mrs. Nelson was born May 29, 1941, in Davenport, the daughter of Vallie and Antonietta Schepers Zahner. She married Donald W. Nelson April 9, 1960, in Bennett. He preceded her in death April 14, 1999. She and her husband raised their family in Bennett. They later moved to Chicago and after retirement, moved to Wilton in 1994, to be near their family. She was her husband's secretary at Don Nelson Construction. Earlier she worked at the Midway Cafe, Bennett, and until her death she worked at Jeff's Supermarket, Wilton. She was a member of Peace Church of Christ United. She enjoyed painting ceramic houses, cooking and canning. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Survivors include two daughters, Karis Horstmann and husband, Fred Horstmann Jr. of Bennett and LeAnne Daufeldt of Wilton; a son, Donnie Nelson and wife, Rachel, of Durant; her mother, Antonietta Zahner of Muscatine; two sisters, Joyce Phillips and husband, Terry, and Margo Schneider, all of Muscatine; a brother, Kleo Zahner and wife, Jan, of Davenport; and her mother-in-law, Ellen Nelson of Lisbon. She was preceded in death by her husband and her father.

Tributes