Gladys Mae (Spielman) Nelsen
On Monday, March 13, 2023, Gladys Nelsen passed away at the age of 98 7/8, just missing her 99th birthday. She lived in the home of her daughter Faye and her husband Steve who lovingly took care of her for the last 7 years. She was the most amazing wife and mother of 7 children. She had 18 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. She would want you to know more than anything she loved her Jesus and she loved sharing her testimony with any one that would listen. Even the hospice nurses knew her as a woman of faith and prayer. "Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Nelsen who she was married to for 67 years. She was also preceded in death by an infant grandson Mark and a son in law Zeb Collingsworth. She was survived by 7 children: daughter Lassie and husband Johnny; son Jesse and wife Carole; daughter Faye and husband Steve; daughter Janie and husband Jim; daughter Loretta and husband Karl; son Jack and wife Laurie; and daughter LaVee.
Gladys was born on May 1, 1924 in Westbrook, Minnesota to Fred and Mae Spielman. She grew up in Minnesota alongside a boy named Don and at the age of 20, she married him. While dad was in the army serving in WW2, she went to Garland, Texas to do her part for the country. She became a "Rosie the Riveter". After dad was discharged from the Army, they started a homestead in Minnesota. She enjoyed helping on the farm with all the numerous chores, even while pregnant or toting small children. After a battle with rheumatic fever that damaged her heart, she was told to move to warmer climate.
They packed up and moved to San Marcos, California. Dad went to work construction while mom was home with her 6 children who were all under the age of 8. Fate took them back to Minnesota for a couple years. Then they moved back to California and started a new life. She worked in the cafeteria at the school for a while and then started doing upholstery work. She also taught Good News Club to all the kids in the neighborhood. All the kids loved being at her house. And then they were surprised by a seventh child
Then they moved to Dallas where dad went to the Post Office and she did her upholstery and draperies in their garage. Then they moved to Pea Ridge, Arkansas where they enjoyed the farm life again. She loved her garden and continued to sew drapes at the home. When their youngest graduated, they started traveling. She was able to visit every state and some other countries. They also spent time in Alamo, Texas where they learned they loved dancing. She also learned how to play a card game called Hand and Foot. Her competitiveness came out and she played it every chance she could.
She was exceptional at so many hobbies. She made wedding dresses and cakes for her daughters. Dad would make toys and gifts for their children/grandchildren while she painted them perfectly. She crocheted, knitted, quilted, painted, played the piano to name a few of her many talents. She truly was a Proverbs 31 woman.