Elaine Margaret (Haapy) Nelson died Sept. 4, 2007, at Mary Greeley Medical Center. No services were held and the family was assisted in arrangements by Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care of Ames.
Elaine was born on Feb. 16, 1921 in Virginia, Minnesota to Isak and Mary (Tenhunen) Haapaniemi. She graduated from Virginia High School and received a degree in Home Economics from Iowa State University. Upon graduation, she taught in Waukesha, Wisconsin. In 1944 she married her college sweetheart, Carl Nelson, in Mt. Home, Idaho. She continued to teach while Carl served in WWII. After the war, they returned to Ames where Carl earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from ISU. During this time, Elaine taught in the Gilbert school district. Carl’s career took them to New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, and for extended stays in Brazil, Greece, Iran, Scotland, and Indonesia.
During her lifetime, Elaine enjoyed traveling and learning about other cultures. She raised her two sons while living in many different countries. She spent time on creative needlework and weaving projects. She was an accomplished cook and gracious hostess. She participated in synchronized swimming as a young woman and continued to enjoy swimming for most of her life. She and Carl always had a dog, most adopted from shelters. Upon Carl’s retirement, they spent several years near Ely, Minnesota, before moving to Ames in 1988. For many years, they spent winters in South Padre Island, Texas. In January of 2007, after the death of her husband, Elaine moved to Timberland Village in Story City.
She is survived by her son Ron (Dianna) Nelson, of Ames; three grandchildren, Aaron Nelson of Ames, Adria Nelson (Stacie Pierce) of San Francisco, and Karina (Curtis) Bryan of Lander, Wyoming.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her husband Carl, and her son Gary Nelson.