Leta Nelson

1918-2008

Leta Nelson, 89, of Cheyenne died Jan. 15 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

She was born June 23, 1918, in Thompson, Neb.

Her parents homesteaded to Weston County when she was a child. She graduated from Newcastle High School.

She married Layle Nelson on Sept. 25, 1937, in Newcastle. They moved to Cheyenne in 1941. Mrs. Nelson was a stay-at-home mom, a loving mother and grandmother who was very active in Cheyenne's community.

She was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church for more than 65 years and was involved in Church Women United. She was a volunteer at Memorial Hospital, a member of XJWC, a member of the Airport Golf Club and a member of the Airport Women's Pinochle Club.

Mrs. Nelson was dedicated to meeting the needs of Cheyenne's community. She was actively involved in establishing the Meals on Wheels program. Focusing on the needs of troubled youth, she helped establish Attention Homes in 1974. She was also involved with establishing Needs, Inc. in 1988.

Mrs. Nelson is survived by three children and a daughter-in-law, Robert and Charla Nelson of Cheyenne, Bill Nelson of Melbourne, Fla., and Beth Nelson of Casper; one brother, Tom Clark of Longmont, Colo.; five grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Thomas and Addie L. Clark; her husband, Layle Nelson; and a sister, Eleanor VanSickle.

Services are 10 a.m. today at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. Roger Rapp and Rev. Robert Schmidt officiating.

Interment will be in Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Robert Todd Nelson, James J. Nelson, James R. Nelson, Philip Juengst, Don Olson and Jerry Johnston.

Honorary pallbearer will be Aaron Wagner.

Friends may contribute to the Attention Home, Needs, Inc. or St. Paul's Lutheran Church.