Wanda Nelsen

Wanda Nelsen, 89, of Trenton, formerly of Curtis, passed away on February 22, 2010 at El Dorado Manor in Trenton, NE.

She was born on December 7, 1920 to Giuseppe "Joseph" and Elena (Fulgari) Fratti at Pavulo, Italy. She and her mother joined her father in the United States in February 1926. She graduated from Pershing High School in Detroit, Michigan in 1939. Upon completing high school she did secretarial work in the Detroit area.

She married Marion Nelsen on October 20, 1945, in Detroit. They moved shortly after and lived on a farm south of Curtis, NE for 16 years. They farmed north of Curtis from 1963 until 1990 at which time they retired and moved to North Platte.
Wanda worked at the Frontier county Extension office for several years and then went to work for the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture where she retired after 20 years. In June 1983, Wanda was selected as the recipient of the award for the 'Outstanding Employee of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources' which included the entire university system and the extension service.
Her family remembers her wonderful Italian cooking, her welcome smile and warm heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Gildo Zuccarini, in-laws, Peter C. and Elsie Nelsen, Margaret and Marvin Schmid, Leroy and Velma Nelsen, Kenneth and Dolly Nelsen and Doris and Gerald Awtry.

Wanda is survived by her loving spouse of 64 years, Marion, son, James P. and Marilyn Nelsen of Marion, IA, daughter - Diane and Larry Pullmann of McCook, NE, grandsons, Clint and Mandi Nelsen of Grimes, IA, Neil and Kelly of Nelsen of Indianola, IA, Darren and Courtney Pollmann of McCook, NE, granddaughter Lisa Pollmann of McCook, NE, great-grandchildren, Elle, Lane, Tyde, Aspen and Grady Nelsen and Olivia, Miles and Eileen Pollmann; along with several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.