Anna Mary Nelson, 96, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Anna Mary Smith was born March 2, 1921, near Lewis, Iowa, one of four children born to Elmer and Lora Graham Smith. Following graduation from Lewis High School in 1938, she worked at the Scotts and Firestone Stores in Atlantic. On November 4, 1943, she married Glenn Vernon Nelson and they farmed north of Atlantic. In addition to helping Glenn on the farm she taught at an Audubon County country school. On October 2, 1946, she gave birth to their only child, Sondra Sue.

When Sondra was in 4th grade, Anna Mary and Glenn bought a farm south of Anita and lived there until their retirement in 1980, when they moved to Atlantic and started spending their winters in Weslaco, Texas. In 1970, Sondra married Gary Stroup in Wray, Colorado, so Glenn and Anna Mary made frequent trips to out there to visit them and their children, Levi and Laura. Their grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Sage Stroup, were the greatest joys of her life.

Glenn passed away in 1993, and Anna Mary continued spending winters in south Texas for several years. She moved to 800 Chestnut Street in Atlantic and enjoyed the many friends she made there. In 2010, she moved to Heritage House.

Anna Mary belonged to the Kid a Bit Club in the Elk Horn area and later the NH (Nosey Henhussies) Club. She gave dancing lessons, taught Sunday school at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, was a 4-H leader, and sang with a ladies' trio. Anna Mary was an excellent seamstress, making all of Sondra's clothing, which included prom formals and her wedding gown, as well as dresses and wedding gowns for relatives and friends. She made dozens of crocheted afghans, doll clothes, quilts, and Cabbage Patch dolls. In her last few years, she lost her eye sight to macular degeneration and regretted no longer being able to create things with her hands.

She is survived by her daughter, Sondra (Gary) Stroup of Eckley, CO; two grandchildren, Levi Stroup of Atlantic, IA, and Laura (Jon) Bunning of Brooklyn, NY; one great-grandchild, Sage Stroup of Eckley, CO; her sister, Leola Porter of Atlantic, IA; her brother, Gene (Jan) Smith of Farmington, NM; her brother-in-law, Dick Wright, of Atlantic, IA; her sister-in-law, Margaret Gregersen of Storm Lake, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Glenn, and her brother, Lee.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 3, 2017, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, with Pastor Sharon Guffey-Lewis of Congregational United Church of Christ in Anita officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to organizations that help others who have lost their eye sight.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Anna Mary's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Anna Mary Nelson

BORN
March 2, 1921 ~ Lewis, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
July 30, 2017 ~ Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
96 Years, 4 Months & 28 Days

FUNERAL SERVICE
2:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Roland Funeral Service ~ Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Pastor Sharon Guffey-Lewis
Congregational United Church of Christ ~ Anita, Iowa

PIANIST
Jody Rudolph

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” by Randall Breckerbaumer

“How Great Thou Art” by the Congregation

“Precious Lord Take My Hand” by Randall Breckerbaumer

CASKET BEARERS
Craig Porter
Doug Porter
Crandall Porter
Dan Wright
Bob Smith
Wade Rich

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Paulette Cambridge
Diane Cappel

INTERMENT
Oakwood Cemetery ~ Lewis, Iowa

Following services at the cemetery the family invites you to join
them for refreshments at Roland Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to
organizations that help others who have lost their eye sight.