St. James Lutheran Church - Kay Nelson

St. James Lutheran Church

Kathryn "Kay" Nelson

Kathryn "Kay" Nelson died on Jan. 13, 2014, at the age of 91 at Friendship Manor Silver Cross care wing in Rock Island.

The life of Kathryn Nelson will be celebrated at St. James Lutheran Church, Rock Island, on Jan. 19, with a visitation starting at noon, services at 1 p.m. followed by a reception with food and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, with her first husband, Paul, at a future date.

Kay was born in Sherrard on March 14, 1922, the only child of Harry and Alice Schiess. She married the love of her life, Paul H. Friedlund, in a candlelight ceremony at Salem Lutheran Church in Moline. They had two children, Jane, who passed away in Libertyville, Ill., in October 1984, and Tom, who resides in Marengo, Ill. The family lived in Rock Island until 1965 when Paul's job with International Harvester necessitated a move to Elmhurst, Ill. Paul preceded her in death on May 31, 1971.

In 1976, she married Robert D. James in Elmhurst and relocated back to Rock Island. Bob had three sons, Jeff, Randy and Gary. Kay and Bob enjoyed many years with their Rock Island friends and especially the "Augie Crowd." They also traveled extensively and enjoyed camping. Bob passed away on Jan. 18, 2006, after an extended illness.

In September 2008, she married Sherwood "Bud" Nelson, a longtime family friend, at St. James Lutheran Church. In fact, they both went to school together at Rock Island High School in the '30s. Kay and Paul and Bud and his wife, China, were best of friends. Kay and Bud shared an assisted living apartment at Friendship Manor and comforted each other until Bud's passing in July 2012. Bud had four sons Dave, Paul, Carl and Tom, meaning Kay had seven stepsons!

Kay grew up during the Depression and never lost the meaning of frugality. She often told the story of throwing away an empty mayonnaise jar and her mother retrieving it from the garbage and scraping out a tablespoon ... she was reprimanded for being wasteful. Kay attended RIHS and Augustana College, where she fell in love with her future husband, who arrived from Iowa with two suitcases and no money. She worked briefly as a secretary at the John Deere plants.

Kay was an extraordinary volunteer, teaching Sunday school, delivering Meals on Wheels and many other endeavors. Kay loved to play piano, sing and Jazzercise. She was always the life of the party! She also loved to have her grandchildren over for summer visits. Of course, she was severely tested in life by the deaths of three husbands and her precious daughter, but her amazing faith in Jesus Christ carried her through to her heavenly home.

She is survived by her son, Tom (Carrie) and five grandchildren, Kathy Walsh (John), Susan Maier (Phil), Jimmy Oboikowitch (April), Paula Butler (Jnani) and Doug Friedlund (Erin). She leaves six great-grandchildren, Zoe Walsh, Kate Walsh, Johanna Walsh, Natalie Maier, Julia Maier and Kayleigh Friedlund. She has seven stepsons, Jeff James (Sandra), Randy James (Robin), Gary James (Jhana), Dave Nelson (Linda), Carl Nelson (Marsha), Paul Nelson (Linda), Tom Nelson (Debby) and numerous stepgreat-grandchildren. She is also survived by her son-in- law, John Oboikowitch (Margaret).

This obituary was originally available at www.wheelanpressly.com.

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