Tanya Nelson

Tanya Jo Nelson, 39, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. She was born on April 13, 1974, in Dickinson, North Dakota to Clayton and Susan Dykema. She grew up in Dickinson, North Dakota and graduated from Dickinson High School in 1992. She attended Dickinson State University where she received a degree in Early Elementary Education.

While in college, she met her future husband and love of her life, Doug Nelson. They moved to Arizona in July 1998, where she began her teaching career. On September 29, 2001, her life was blessed with the birth of her son Joshua. She was an amazing mother and loved to spend time with her family. In 2009, she and her family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she thrived in being closer to family. She continued her teaching career, and was an inspiration to all the children whose lives she touched. She was truly a blessing to all who knew her. Her bright blue eyes and beautiful smile lit up every room she entered. She was loved by all and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband Doug and son Joshua Nelson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sister Tamera (Anthony) Price of Ellsworth, Wisconsin; nephews Connor and Carter Price; Sister Trisha Dykema and Tom Leisher, Ella, Allie and Karl Leisher of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Father Clayton (Barbara) Dykema of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Step-sisters Catrina (Brad) Hruby of Brandon, South Dakota and Angie Crawford of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Grandparents Walter and Beatrice Reinke of Center, North Dakota; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother Susan Faye Soland and Grandparents Gurdis and Ada Dykema.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 4125 Constitution Avenue, Colorado Springs.