Betty L. Nelson

Betty L. Nelson (nee Powell), 80, of Washington, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2019, in St. Louis, MO. 

Betty was born on January 15, 1939, to the late Norman and Ruth (nee Troutt) Powell and baptized on January 25, 1953, at Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan. Betty was a proud alumna of the first graduating class of East Central Junior College and had a long career spanning several decades assisting people through state and federal government agencies. She adored her grandchildren and always kept up with what was happening in their lives. Betty was always on the go, enjoying time connecting with others through her many clubs, social groups, and volunteer organizations and loved to entertain socially at home. She kept physically active by playing pickleball and biking. Biking was not just exercise for her though, it was a way to explore the world around her and connect in a special way with the locations she visited when she traveled the United States and Europe. The Katy Trail, with its close proximity, was a favored route and she biked the full expanse more than once.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington. Interment will be private. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, from 4-8 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, 1206 Jefferson St., Washington, MO 63090. Memorial donations are appreciated to Siteman Cancer Center, St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, or Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Betty is survived by her companion of fourteen years, Elgar Scheer of Washington; two children, Bradley S. Nelson and wife Stacey of Union and Brenda Bouse and husband Rick of Washington; one sister, Wanda Kay Baxter and husband John of Bourbon; five grandchildren, Brooklyn Morris and husband Jesse, Madison Nelson, Aspen Nelson, Jennifer Keeler and husband Max, and Abbie Ruether and husband Mitch; two great-grandchildren, Maevery Morris and Jayce Keeler; other relatives and many friends.