Bonnie Carlson Nelson was born Jan. 30, 1929, the third of four sisters in Paxton, Illinois, to Tony and Edna Carlson. Bonnie grew up on the family farm milking dairy cows, learning sewing, canning and cooking. She married Walt Nelson on Dec. 24, 1949. The couple shared a Swedish heritage that linked them together honoring hard work, fun and a love of people.
Bonnie and Walt had two children, Karla (Darrel) Jackson of Crawfordsville and Donald Nelson of Arizona. They were blessed with four grandchildren, Mike (Heather) Jackson of Danville, Julie (Chad) Hess of Crawfordsville, Kerri (Kyle) Mehmen of Plainfield, Iowa, and Henry (Tiffine) Nelson of Scottsdale, Arizona; and 12 great-grandchildren, Avery, Cale and Hayden Hess, Alida, Hallie, Lilly and Lucy Jackson, Alison, Jackson and Anna Mehmen, and Elliot and Dominic Nelson.
Bonnie was a true farmer’s wife who loved to cook and bake for her family and many friends. She was famous for her zucchini bread and sugar cookies delivered in Pringles cans. Bonnie never arrived anywhere empty handed! She taught herself to crochet and made many afghans, potholders and quilted with pride. Bonnie enjoyed gardening and was especially fond of her roses. She and Walt started their married life in Illinois and later moved to Indiana. After their children were grown, the couple journeyed to Arizona where the owned a home and managed a large mobile home park. This job enabled them to make friends from all over the United States and Bonnie continued her open door policy with coffee and sweets on hand at all times. The couple later moved Crawfordsville where Bonnie enjoyed supplying her great-grandchildren with an abundance of sweets and stories from her childhood while watching them play sports, show livestock and sit around the dinner table as a family.
There will be a private family gathering with no public services. Sanders Priebe Funeral Care entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.sandersfuneralcare.com.
