Elaine Helen Nelson

Elaine Helen Nelson, age 92 of Centerville, Ohio passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at her daughter’s residence in Hillsboro, Ohio. She was born December 4, 1933 in St. James, Minnesota the daughter of the late John and Leona (Kohn) Heppner. Elaine confirmed her faith through St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in St. James, Minnesota. She attended Country School and then St. James High School graduating in 1952. She met the love of her life, Howard Nelson and the two were married September 3, 1954. They farmed in rural Butterfield where they raised their family. Elaine was very active in the Kansas Lake Lutheran Church working with the Ladies Aid on their many projects. As the children grew up, she became much more active in running the farm and even partnered with her son, Craig and built a hog barn and farrowed pigs. In her mid-life, she had a desire to work with people, so she took training and became a nurse’s aide working in the Trimont nursing Home for many years. Elaine then got a job working as a physical therapist at a clinic in St. James. She really enjoyed her time there and making so many new friends. Her last place if employment was at Brandt Ridge Assisted Living Home in St. James. Elaine enjoyed gardening, flowers, fishing and crafting at times. She and her daughter, Cindy made several church banners for Kansas Lake Lutheran Church which are still being used in the churches Cindy and her husband, Alan serve. Elaine loved her family and enjoyed attending tennis matches and other events over the years with her grandchildren. She loved singing in the church choir and the Choralares ladies Chorus. Elaine was the church custodian for many years and helped Howard mow the church cemetery lawn for many years as well. There were many other church-related activities she had a part in. In 2017, eight years after Howard’s passing, she moved to Centerville, Ohio near Cindy and Alan. She spent the last 8 ½ years enjoying traveling with her dear friend, Bob Hovden and getting to spend time with Cindy and her family. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband – Howard Nelson, one daughter – Lori Nelson and one granddaughter – Sadie Nelson

Mrs. Nelson is survived by three children – Cynthia D. Bolte and husband Alan of Hillsboro, Ohio, Craig Nelson and wife Kim of St. James, Minnesota, and Mark Nelson and wife Patricia of St. James, Minnesota; five grandchildren – Christopher Bolte, Melissa Bradford and husband Sam, Heather Sogn and husband Jarod, David Nelson and wife Courtney and Michaela Johnson and husband Brandon; eight great grandchildren – Dylan Bolte and wife Hailey, Alexis Rose and husband Jesse, Ashley Hubbard, Abby Hubbard and Cade Meade, Ian Nelson, Alayna Nelson, Reid Sogn and Reagan Sogn; four great-great grandchildren – Jesse, Molly and Henry Rose and Chenuke Bolte; two sisters – Phyllis Wilth and Lois Bean; three nieces – Denise, Dawn and Nancy and one nephew – Eric.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the Mt. Orab Methodist Church, 212 Church Street, Mt.Orab, Ohio 45154. Rev. Dr. Alan Bolte will officiate. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the church. The Cahall Funeral Home in Mt.Orab, Ohio is serving the family.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt.Orab Food Pantry, 211 Church Street, Mt.Orab, Ohio 45154.