The Idaho Statesman, 03/21/07


Nada Nelson, 78, of Nampa, died March 18, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center of natural causes. She was surrounded by those who loved her and will miss her very much. Nada came into this world fighting, being born breech, and she went out with a fight. She loved life and never gave up. On December 3, 1928, in Montpelier, Idaho, Delbert E. Smith and Nelda Dayton Smith welcomed their first of three daughters, Nada Mae Smith. Nada grew up in Montpelier and graduated from Montpelier High School in May of 1946. Growing up in Montpelier she attended the dances in Fish Haven, Idaho. At one of those dances she met a dashing young man, Jay L. Nelson, who made her melt in her shoes. On July 25, 1947 they were married in Paris, Idaho and later sealed in the Boise, Idaho LDS Temple. Later in their married life they enjoyed endless memories at their cabin in Featherville, Idaho. In the fall of 1954, Jays job on the railroad brought them to Nampa, where they made their home and had their family. They had five children, Steven, Jalene, Gary, Kellie and Scott. Her children always came first in life and she loved them all very much. Nada worked as a Ward Clerk at Mercy Medical Center for 15 years. The part of her job that she loved most was working on the OB floor and rocking the premature babies. She made many friends at Mercy. Nada was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in the Relief Society Presidency, as a Cub Scout Den Mother, and in the Primary. Nada also loved to craft. She was very talented at crocheting and painting ceramics. She was always excited to enter her newest creation in the county fairs, where she won many blue ribbons. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jay Lutz Nelson, her parents Delbert and Nelda Smith, her sister Dorothy (Paul) Bolton, and a grandson Randy Jay Nelson. She is survived by her sister, Sandra Smith of Nampa, her five children, Steven Nelson, Jalene Kindred, Scott (Kelli) Nelson, Kellie (Richard) Overall, all of Nampa and Gary (Elizabeth) Nelson of Boise. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law Daryl (Fern) Nelson and sister-in-law Doris (John) Biens and numerous cousins. The family wants to extend our thanks and appreciation to the nursing staff and employees of Mercy Medical Center who helped during this difficult time. Funeral services will beheld 10 a.m. Thursday, March 22 in the Nampa Idaho LDS West Stake Center, 1500 Smith Ave. Interment will be at Kohlerlawn Cemetery.