Maedine Nelson

Lola "Maedine" Wilson was born March 25, 1931, to Rev. Bill and Lorene Wilson in Texhoma, Oklahoma. Maedine passed away peacefully on October 13, 2022, at age 91. The Wilson family, including four other children, Willis (Betty), Eugene (Barbara), Norma, and Barbara (Floyd May), farmed and pastored in the panhandle of Oklahoma until the "dust bowl" forced them to move to Missouri. At three years old, Maedine saw her first blade of grass, mistaking it for a flower, as the family moved "out of the dust" and in with family around Adrain and Drexel, Missouri. Maedine attended country schools and graduated from Adrian High School in 1948. It was in high school she met her future husband, Donald Nelson, who also graduated in '48.

Maedine's parents left Missouri to pastor the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Boise City, Oklahoma, and following high school graduation, Maedine also moved back to Oklahoma. Don decided to follow and was welcomed by Maedine's family when, on November 19, 1950, the couple was married.

Don and Maedine Nelson made their home in Boise City, Don was employed at the Ideal Grocery Store, and Maedine was employed at the First State Bank. Don enlisted in the US Army in 1952, and Maedine moved in with her parents. Maedine had always desired to take Practical Nurses' Training, which she did, completing a correspondence course and clinical training in Denver.

After serving in Korea and upon discharge from the US Army, Don and Maedine started their family. Christy and Jim were born in Boise City; Donna, Jeana, and Jeff were born after the family moved to Beaver, Oklahoma, where Don managed the IGA Grocery Store.

In 1967, Don and Maedine moved to Julesburg, Colorado, where they owned and operated the Jack and Jill Grocery Store. This was a family operation, as all the kids had jobs in the store. Later, after selling their interest in the store, Maedine went to work for George and Nancy Tapp at the Montgomery Wards store in town. In 1976, Maedine began working in the Sedgwick County Clerk and Recorder's Office for Dave Lounsberry, and she was elected Sedgwick County Clerk in 1982. She faithfully served the residents of Sedgwick County for 22 years as Deputy Clerk and Sedgwick County Clerk.

Maedine accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in her youth and was the piano player for her dad's church, where he asked her to learn one new song a week; she did, and her repertoire and talent grew. Maedine faithfully served her Lord as a piano and organ player taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and helped with AWANA. Maedine was a prayer warrior and continually prayed for others, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also shared her love of music by teaching piano lessons to young people in Julesburg.

Maedine was an avid reader, gardener, and excellent cook and enjoyed sewing kid's costumes, quilts, and clothes for her children and prom, bridesmaid, and wedding dresses for her daughters and daughter-in-law. She was very proud to have made the purple curtains in John Grant Gymnasium at Julesburg High School.

After suffering two major strokes, Maedine spent the end of her life on earth at the Walter Memorial Living Center and the Sedgwick County Nursing Home, where she received the best of
care.

Maedine is survived by children: Christy (Kim) Dittmar, of Fort Collins; Jim (Cindy) Nelson, of Dacono; Jeana (Vic) Johnson of Julesburg; and Jeff Nelson of Nashville. Grandchildren are Kevin (Jenny) Johnson, Jaden Dittmar, Lacey Nelson, Ali (Mike) Makowski, Audree (Grant) Edwards, Rachel (Jake) Kimball, Jenna (Tyler) Woody, Juliana Nelson, and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind sister-in-law; Barbara Wilson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and brother-in-law Edwin Nelson of Adrain, Missouri, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. Joining Maedine for a happy family reunion in Heaven are her parents, parents-in-law (James and Bernice Nelson), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law ( Doris, Goldie, Rogers, Doris, and Wayne), siblings and spouses, husband Don and their infant daughter, Donna Jean.

Cremation was previously chosen by Maedine and her family; services will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the church of your choice or to a favorite ministry of Maedine's: InterAct Ministries, KJLT Christian Radio of North Platte, NE, or Samaritan's Purse. Condolences may be sent to Maedine's family at 311 W. 5th, Julesburg, CO 80737.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.