Donna Joyce Nelson, the daughter of Ray and Fern Brown Stambaugh, was born December 30, 1932, near Coin, Iowa on the Stambaugh family farm. She passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2012, at the Select Specialty Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 79 years, 7 months and 26 days. Donna was raised on the family farm near Coin. She graduated from Coin High School with the class of 1950. Donna continued her education at Iowa Western Community College, Clarinda, Iowa, receiving her teaching certificate. Her first several years of teaching were at Macedonia, IA, and then at Exira, IA. Donna was united in marriage to Dwight G. Nelson on February 12, 1955 in Coin, IA. For 30 years, they made their home and raised their family on a farm south of Red Oak. During this time, she taught school at Coburg, Essex, and in Red Oak at the Junior High School, and later at Inman Elementary School. While teaching, in the summer months, she attended Northwest Missouri State University earning her Bachelor's degree in Education and Master's degree in Special Education. In 1991, Donna and Dwight moved to the Lindquist Nelson century farm at Nyman and she retired from teaching in 2007. She was a member of Fremont Lutheran Church in Nyman. Donna was active with the Order of Eastern Star in Red Oak, having served as Worthy Matron, Grand Representative to Arkansas in 1970, and was a District Grand Deputy for the Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was a past member of White Shrine in Shenandoah, IA. Family was central to Donna's life; she treasured her parents, children and grandchildren and spent as much time as she could with them, nurturing and providing guidance. She also enjoyed reading and embroidery sewing, along with researching and studying local history and genealogy. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Christopher Douglas Nuckolls. Donna is survived by her husband, Dwight G. Nelson of rural Red Oak, IA; children: Dwight Nelson Jr. and wife Dawn of rural Red Oak, IA; Mary Auten and husband Rick of rural Clarinda, IA; and Karen Nelson and husband Tom Mahr of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren: Joseph Nelson, Jennifer Nelson, Jeremy Nelson and wife Nichole, Dustin Nuckolls and wife Becky, Ashlee Nuckolls, Aaron Mahr and Nicholas Mahr; 6 great-grandchildren: Emma and Macey Nuckolls, Brayden and Caydence Johnson, Jaykob and Lillie Nelson; and brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Lois Stambaugh of Denver, CO; nieces and nephews, along with other relatives and friends. May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 31, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman Burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Nyman Rev. Jerry Lamb, Officiating Visitation with the family present Thursday evening August 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home A memorial is being established in Donna's name. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.