Lila E Nelson

Jan. 14, 1926 – Dec. 4, 2010

Lila Nelson was born Lila Elaine Olson to Gust Cyrenius Olson and Ida Dorathea Cedarholm Olson on January 14, 1926, near Fremont, KS, on her family farm. She died December 4, 2010, in Colorado Springs, CO, surrounded by her immediate family.

Lila grew up in rural Kansas with her younger sister, Mary. Lila worked very hard on the farm, and after high school she worked at Hallmark Greeting Cards and as a bookkeeper at the local electric company. While attending high school in Lindsborg, KS, Lila met her lifelong sweetheart, Edward (Eddie) LeRoy Nelson. On Eddie's return from World War II, in which he served as a U.S. Marine, he and Lila were married in Lindsborg, KS, June 17, 1948.

Lila and Eddie had two sons, Robert Elliott (b. Oct. 16, 1951 — d. May 5, 2007), and Steven LeRoy (b. Dec. 26, 1953). In 1957, Lila and Eddie moved to Colorado Springs, CO, where Eddie worked as an automotive mechanic and small business owner, and they raised their family. Once both of her sons were in school, Lila worked as a bookkeeper at Eddie's business, AAA Alignment, and later at Newbill's Alignment.

Their firstborn son, Robert, married Ruth Ann Rowley in June, 1975, and they had two children, Ryan Elliott Nelson (b. Sept. 27, 1981 — d. April 3, 2002), and Rebecca Andralyn Nelson (b. Nov. 13, 1984). Their second son, Steven, married Georgeanne Elise Blansett in July, 1987.

Lila Nelson is survived by her son, Steven, and his wife Georgeanne, her daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann Nelson, her granddaughter, Rebecca Nelson, and her two nieces, Peggy Linn (Ron Belak) and Jo Linn Haddox (Jack).

Lila’s interests included passing on her Swedish traditions to her family, cooking, reading, gardening, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, and her two beloved grandchildren. She loved nature and enjoyed picnics in Palmer Park and camping and fishing in the Colorado Rockies. She was an avid sports fan and knowledgeable of current events.

Services will be held at 10 AM Saturday at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations to National Jewish Health in support of Respiratory Treatment Research (www.nationaljewish.org).