Betty E. Nelson

Betty E. (Eisiminger) Nelson, 79, of Graham, Mo., passed away Friday, August 20, 2010, at her home. She was born September 8, 1930, near Savannah, to Carl and Jacquetta (Golden) Eisiminger. She was the last member of the Christian and Magdalena Marti family to be born in the house on the Marti estate farm.

Betty attended White Oak and Brand schools through the 8th grade and graduated from Savannah High School in 1948. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in secondary education, English and French, from Northwest Missouri State College in 1952. In 1961 she received the Master of Arts Degree in English from the University of Missouri. She completed a French Language Institute in Kansas City and library certification from Northwest Missouri State University.

Her professional education experience includes Andrew County rural schools; Junior High English in Horton, Ks.; 6th grade and Junior High English in Savannah; substitute teaching for the Department of Defense in Orlean, France; French and English in the Kansas City, Mo., Public Schools; French in Maryville and Mt. Alverno; French and substitute teaching in Graham; Library at NWMSU; Library in the North Andrew Public Schools; and English composition at Northwest Community College, St. Joseph.

On June 9, 1957, Betty was united in marriage to Herschel L. Nelson. He survives of the home. Additional survivors include two sons, Roger C. (Linda) Nelson of Graham and Eric E. (Sylvia) Nelson of Kansas City; grandchildren, Soren Nelson, Sheldon Nelson, Sierra Nelson (Maryville), and Erica Nelson (Kansas City); step grandchildren Kathy (Berg) Jopling (Monroe City), and Sean Berg (Salem, NE); great step grandchildren Alex Jopling, Katie Jopling, Skyler Berg, and Justice Berg; sister Melanie E. (Larry) Rawlins (Macomb, IL); and niece Lamelle D. (Robert) Ryman (Bronx, NY). She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Wayne Eisiminger.

Community and church service was an important part of Betty’s life. She assisted with Methodist youth caravans and camps and participated in two Methodist missionary tours in the Southwest and East coast, which resulted in numerous presentations. She taught Sunday School and/or Vacation Bible School in Savannah, Amazonia, Graham, and Maryville and lately was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Maryville. Over the years she participated in Graham Community Betterment, Boy Scouts, and was co-founder of the Tri-Community Nutrition Site in Maitland.

Betty was devoted to caring for her parents and other elderly relatives and to visiting sick friends and relatives. She loved music, reading, beautiful sunrises, flowers, and family dinners and celebrations. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Betty has been cremated, a memorial visitation will be from 10:00 A.M to 11:00 A.M. Monday, August 23, 2010, at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville. The family memorial service will be private and at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Tri-City Friendship Center, 208 S. 2nd Street, Maitland, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements: Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.

For online condolences and guestbook, visit www.bramfuneralhome.com.