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Peggy J Nelson

August 7, 1936 - December 9, 2021

Angels came to escort Peggy Jo Nelson of Ankeny, Iowa to rejoin loved ones that have gone before. Peggy entered eternal rest surrounded by her loving family on December 9, 2021. Peggy was born August 7, 1936, in Harlan, Iowa to Arlow E. and Gladys V. (Sorensen) Nelson. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1955 and married her high school sweetheart, Dale Nelson, on September 22, 1956. The couple settled in Ankeny, Iowa in 1958 after returning from Scotland where Dale was stationed.

After raising her children, Peggy worked at the Ankeny Medical Center and DMACC before founding Nelson’s Diamonds, a jewelry store which she owned until 1998. She loved her family, friends, her many bridge partners, and her customers. She enjoyed collecting, sewing, and beating everyone at cards. She was a long-time member of the Ankeny United Methodist Church. She was known as a kind, compassionate, and generous person who did many anonymous acts of kindness. Many times at Christmas she would find a family that needed help and would give gifts, food, and money to ensure they had a great Christmas. Seldom did anyone know where the help came from.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlow and Gladys Nelson; and daughter-in-law, Pat Nelson. She is survived by her husband, Dale Nelson; children, Cindy Nelson, Randy Nelson, and Cheri (Gary) Walljasper; eight grandchildren, Nate (Jaymi) Vanderlinden, Caroline (Keenan) Jones, Tylor Nelson, Tiffany Nelson, Neko Nelson, Adam Snarski, Rachel Walljasper, and Sarah Walljasper; and two great-granddaughters, Isla Vanderlinden and Lennon Vanderlinden.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A private burial is planned at Lincoln Cemetery in Alleman, Iowa.

Peggy asked that in lieu of flowers, please donate to Camp Sunnyside: Easterseals Iowa, Attn: Camp Sunnyside Program and Support Specialist, 401 NE 66^th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50313.