Geraldine
Page Nelson
DHS1955
June
16, 1936 - September 19, 2015
Geraldine
“Jerry” Lea Nelson of Rapid City passed away in Rapid City
Regional Hospital due to pneumonia complications on September 19,
2015.
She
was born on June 16, 1936 to Leonard (Spud) and Tina Page in
Deadwood, South Dakota. She attended school and graduated from
Deadwood High School in 1955. Jerry married LaVerne Theodore Nelson
on June 1, 1955 and during their 21 years of marriage made their home
in Lead, SD. They had two children, Claudia Jean Nelson Fredericksen
and Brian LaVerne Nelson.
Jerry
was involved in Girl Scouts as a Brownie and continued her
involvement as an adult serving on the Black Hills Girl Scout Council
Board of Directors, Camp PaHa SaPa Caretaker for two years, Day Camp
Director, Neighborhood Chairman of Lead/Deadwood, Troop Leader, Trip
Director for Girl Scout Council trips to Canada and Washington D.C.,
plus numerous troop trips to Canada, Medora, National Center West,
Ft. Robinson, and 6th Grade Trip to Pierre. She also worked on
numerous Girl Scout Council events such as a Council sponsored
National Girl Scout event called “Do It In Dakota”; the Mall
Festival, Super Saturday, and Heritage Trail. Jerry also served as a
Camp Director at a Girl Scout camp in Indiana for one summer. She was
one of the original people involved in the establishment and
development of Camp Friendship for the physically and mentally
challenged. She received the highest award in Girl Scouting, the
Thanks Badge.
Jerry
had a passion for bowling, she bowled on leagues in Deadwood and
Rapid City for many years. Being on oxygen 24/7 did not prevent her
from participating in the bowling leagues.
She
was involved in the Episcopal Church in Deadwood while she was
raising her children, belonged to a card club in Lead and was active
in the Lead/Deadwood community. She moved to Rapid City and attended
National American University and received an Associate Degree in
Accounting and an Associate Degree in Business Administration. Jerry
worked at several businesses in accounting and was forced into
retirement due to her physical limitations. Jerry loved to camp,
travel, play cards, gamble, go 4-wheeling, work her puzzles, be with
her dogs and be with her family and friends.
She
was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her two
children, Claudia (David) and Brian (Mel), all from Lead, good friend
and companion, Bonnie, four grandchildren; Jeremiah, Davida, Brianna
and Casey, and eight great-grandchildren: Ashley, Jeremiah Jr.,
Alejandra, Erica, Hannah, Payton, Keaten, and Kinsly.
A
celebration of life will be held at 10am, Friday, September 25, 2015
at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. A lunch will follow at
the V.FW. in Deadwood.
A
memorial has been established.
