Obituary of Wilda Ruth Nelson

Wilda Ruth Wailes Neubauer Nelson passed peacefully July 5 in her apartment at Silver Springs Assisted Living Facility in Green Valley, Arizona. She was lovingly cared for by their wonderful staff of care givers. She was born June 10, 1929, at home in rural Milliken, Colorado, the third of eight children born to Ernest Leroy and Eva Dimple Allison Wailes. She was the last of their children to be born at home. Wilda grew up on the farm helping with chores and the younger siblings. She eloped with Richard Neubauer December 27, 1946. They kept their marriage a secret from everyone (except their parents) until she graduated from Milliken High School in May of 1947. Richard preceded her in death in July 1989. Their first of many, many homes together was a little two-room shack (with a path) where Richard farmed with his father. During the course of their lives together they lived in at least 20 homes ranging from farm homes in Colorado to suburban homes near Oakland and Chicago. They farmed until 1962 and then moved to town when Richard began working for various state Farm Bureaus and then eventually American Farm Bureau Federation. She was a homemaker and always had the ability to "bloom where she was planted". Not only did she "bloom," but she always had the gift of cultivating beautiful flowers wherever she was living. Her very favorite flowers were her roses. She also loved to cook and bake and enjoyed entertaining friends and family. Wilda married Kenneth Nelson in April 1991. He preceded her in death in May 2005. They lived in Loveland, Colorado, and wintered in Tucson for several years before moving to Green Valley in 2004. Family and friends were very important to Wilda. One of the blessings of living in so many places was the opportunity to develop many special friendships. She had the ability to spread joy to those with whom she came in contact. She had a fun sense of humor and loved to have a good laugh! She will be greatly missed! Wilda was a wonderful mother and grandmother, actively taking part in her children's lives from 4-H to scouting to church youth groups. She was an amazing seamstress and made beautiful outfits for herself and her kids. Her grandsons knew they could count on her to climb up a downspout to rescue a wallet (that somehow ended up on a roof) to fixing a broken window before their mom got home from work to find it. She was a big influence in getting her grandsons involved in church. Even though she couldn't play with her great-grandchildren like she did with her grandsons, she totally loved the time she was able to spend with them. Church was very important to her, and she was always actively involved in the local churches where she lived. Of course, many of her best friends were friends she made at church. She loved the Lord and was totally looking forward to being reunited with her loved ones. Wilda is survived by her daughter, Billie Harsch (Walt); son, Ken (Mary); grandsons, Christopher Williams (Becky) and Michael Williams (Nancy); great-grandchildren, Michael Andrew, Natalie Ruth, Matthew Christopher, and Emina Marie Williams, as well as step children, step-grandchildren and step- great- grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Dixie Halker (Neil), brother, David Wailes and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and brothers, Bill, Frank and Warren and sisters, Wilma and Patti. There will be two memorial services held. The first will be Friday, July 22 at 10:00 at Valley Presbyterian Church in Green Valley. The second will be held Sunday, August 14, at 3:30 at the Milliken Presbyterian Church in Milliken, Colorado. Interment will be a private family ceremony a private family ceremony at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley, Colorado, next to her husband, Richard. Wilda requested before she passed that memorial donations be made to the Milliken Presbyterian Church, 201 S. Olive Ave., Milliken,CO 80543