Obituary

Janet Lorraine Nelson, 86, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away October 23, 2025, at StoryPoint Urbandale, formerly known as Glen Oaks Alzheimer's Special Care Center. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11am, Thursday, November 6, 2025, at New Hope Assembly of God Church, Urbandale, Iowa. The funeral service will follow beginning at 11 a.m. at the church.

Janet was born May 15, 1939, in Manning, Iowa to Merle E. and Helen C. (Jensen) Nelson. She graduated from Audubon High School in 1957. She received her Licensed Practical Nursing Degree from the Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On June 20, 1959, she was united in marriage to Jerald J. “Jerry” Nelson. They made their home in Harlan, Iowa, where they raised their three children, Kendall Eugene, Daniel Allen and Elisabeth Ann “Beth”. The family also lived in Paullina and Red Oak, Iowa before settling in Urbandale, where Janet and Jerry have lived since 1969.

Janet stayed at home to raise their children and later worked part-time as a bank teller at Norwest Bank for several years. In 1987, she began her work as a bookkeeper for Mid-American Baptist Churches. She retired in 1994. Janet and Jerry enjoyed traveling, especially to Branson, Missouri every fall for many years and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

Janet enjoyed knitting, crocheting and various other crafts. She was an excellent cook and baker. During Christmas time, she baked constantly and created plates filled with assorted goodies to share with friends and neighbors. Janet was also involved with her church, New Hope Assembly of God Church. She attended services on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings and bible study groups on Wednesday nights. She could often be found “helping behind the scenes”, making baby blankets and sweaters for families with newborns, cooking meals for those in need as well as writing and sending cards to church members. She also enthusiastically supported Jerry’s gospel group "The Good News Five”.

Janet is survived by her husband, Jerry; children, Ken (Nancy) Nelson, Dan (Angie) Nelson and Beth (Gary) Garton; grandchildren, Anne Nelson, John (Lauren) Nelson, Zachary (Julia) Garton, Cathy Herd, Christy (Mark) Shellabarger, April Garton and Chase Garton; 16 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; her brothers, Wyman (Laurie) Nelson and David (Wanda) Nelson; her best friend, Bonnie Burton as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Helen Nelson; brother, Norman (Marilyn) Nelson; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Paul) Johnson and Judy (Robert) McConkie.

Janet lived to serve others and had a strong faith in the Trinity (God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) that she expressed and showed by example to her children. She loved God, she loved her family, and they loved her. She had a great laugh and will be deeply missed.

The funeral service will be livestreamed. Please visit Janet's obituary page at www.IlesCares.com for the link and to leave online condolences.

Janet's family would like to share memories of her at the funeral and would like to encourage her friends to email any special memories/stories to James@newhope.church.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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