Thelma Nelson Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Thelma Nelson (Harlan, Iowa), who passed away on January 15, 2021, at the age of 81, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Thelma Nelson to show support.

She was predeceased by: her parents, Joseph Schwarte and Helen Schwarte (Ratigan); her husband Gordon Nelson; her sons, Trent Smith and Troy Smith; her stepchildren, LuAnn Nelson, Dickie Nelson and Johnie Nelson; and her siblings, Irene Reischl, Sr., Madona Schwarte, Sr., Darlene Schwarte, Eugene Schwarte, Dwayne Schwarte, Mike Schwarte and Harry Schwarte.

She is survived by: her former husband Garry Smith; her children, Tim Smith of Blair, Nebraska, Todd Smith (Shireen) of Omaha, Nebraska and Traci Smith (Mark Haynes) of Harlan, Iowa; her stepchildren, Janie Valdez (Gregory) of San Antonio, Texas, Jerry Nelson of Destin, Florida and Teresa McLaughlin (Mark) of Audubon, Iowa; her siblings, Albert Schwarte (Gay) of Defiance, Iowa, Karen Brinker (Clarence) of Ankeny, Iowa, Richard Schwarte (Myrna) of Templeton, Iowa and Joseph Schwarte (Vernita) of Defiance, Iowa; and her sister-in-law Glenda Hall of Defiance, Iowa. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; other family members, and friends.