Aileen Nelson

Aileen Jeanette Nelson, 85, of rural Decatur passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was born Apr. 8, 1938, in Jackson, Michigan to Homer and Helen (McCoy) Smith. She was married Nov. 23, 1958, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant to Gerald Junior “J.R.” Nelson. They celebrated 59 years of marriage before he passed away.
She graduated from Bryant High School in Jay County in 1956. After high school, she went to work at Lincoln Life Insurance Company until she decided to stay at home to raise her four children. After her children were in school, she worked as a secretary for Adams Central Schools for 13 years before retiring.
After marrying, they settled in Bryant but later raised their children in Monroe. They moved to Bluffton in 1999, and following his death in 2017, she moved into her daughter’s home, where she enjoyed regular visits from many of her great-grandchildren.
She was a member of the Christian faith and a former member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant. She later attended Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren of rural Decatur. She loved God, her family, reading, crossword puzzles, coffee, playing (winning) euchre, holding babies and eating pie. She was an excellent cook and would spoil her family with her pies (the secret is the homemade crust).
She is survived by her daughter, Julie (David) Soldner of Decatur; three sons, David (Teresa) Nelson of Metamora, Illinois; and Daniel (Laura) Nelson; and Michael (Laura) Nelson, both of Bluffton; eight grandchildren, Caleb (Allison) Soldner of Fort Wayne; Joshua (Elizabeth) Soldner of Parker, Colorado; Sarah (Jordan) Grandlienard; and Isaac Soldner, both of Decatur; Alex (Samantha) Nelson of South Elgin, Illinois; Audrey (Jeremiah) Moser of Washington, Illinois; and Amber and Autumn Nelson of Bluffton; two step-granddaughters, Ashley (Conor) Jackson of Bluffton; and Jennifer (Michael) Schaffner of Fort Wayne; eight great-grandchildren, Claire, Gabriel, Annie and Emily Soldner; Eli and Ivy Grandlienard; Quinn Soldner; and Elizabeth Nelson; step great-granddaughter, Isobel Jackson; and brother, Alan (Joan) Smith of Portland.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband on Dec. 11, 2017.
Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 11 from 4-8 p.m. at Goodwin-Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service Tuesday, Dec. 12 at Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren in Adams County. Burial will be at Pleasant Dale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Adams Central Youth for Christ or LifeWise Academy of Adams Central.
Arrangements provided by Goodwin-Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwincaleharnish.com.