Kathryn Ann Nelson

WAVERLY – Kathryn (Kathy) Ann Nelson died at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, Waverly Sept. 5, 2024 at the age of 70.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Waverly. A luncheon will be held at the church with inurnment to follow at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Waverly. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 10 a.m. as well as on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly.

Kathy was born at Madigan General Hospital, at the Fort Lewis Army Base, Tacoma, Washington to Donald and Donna (Gardiner) Landsverk on May 26, 1954. She was baptized into the Christian faith on September 19, 1954. She moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota as an infant and spent all of her formative years there. After graduation from White Bear Lake High School in 1972 she enrolled in the nursing program at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. This was her first step in fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in May of 1976. 

Kathy married Paul C. Nelson at First Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota on February 28, 1976. To this union two children were born—Matthew in 1980 and Kristin in 1983.

Kathy’s first job as a registered nurse was at the Howard County Hospital in Cresco in 1976. Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, in the OB department, was next, followed by numerous years at an OB/Gyn clinic in Council Bluffs. In Grundy Center, beginning in 1986, Kathy was employed for 17 years at a local clinic. Kathy worked for nearly 10 years at the Mercy Clinic in Mason City in the heart center. In each position she showed tremendous care and compassion for her patients. She retired from nursing in early 2013. 

The Christian faith was always important to Kathy. She attended Sunday School and worship every Sunday, both as a child and as an adult. Her Christian faith was in evidence in many ways throughout her life.

Kathy was a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in September of 2000. For many years she was involved in breast cancer support groups, attended national conventions in Washington, D.C. and visited breast cancer patients in their homes. Kathy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in November 2020, but had been experiencing some cognitive issues for several years prior to her diagnosis.

Special interests for Kathy included parenting of Matthew and Kristin. She and Paul attended many ballgames, tennis matches and concerts. Kathy and Paul thoroughly enjoyed their three grandchildren. In addition to family, music was always special to Kathy including playing the flute and piano. She also sang in church choirs in each of their parishes. Other fun activities included creating many keepsakes with counted cross stitch artwork, making Norwegian Klostersom wall hangings and listening to music. Additional interests included travel and baseball parks. She and Paul visited all 50 states, and saw baseball games at almost all Major League parks.

Kathy was preceded in death by her mother this past April as well as paternal and maternal grandparents. 

Survivors include her husband Paul of Waverly and children Matthew and his wife Kenza of Coralville, Kristin Kottcamp and her husband Greg of Littleton, Colorado and three grandchildren, Amita and Laina Nelson and Everett Kottcamp. She is also survived by her father, Don Landsverk, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, sister Karen Schofield and her husband Tom of Alexandria, Minnesota, brother David of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and several nephews and nieces. Numerous other relatives also survive.

Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School Endowment Fund, Waverly, Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community also of Waverly, Cedar Valley Hospice, or a location of the donor’s choice. 

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of arrangements. 319-352-1187 www.kaisercorson.com