Theadora M. “Teddi” Nelson

East Lansing

Teddi passed away on March 19, 2017, in East Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 95 with three of her children by her side.  Teddi was born February 7, 1922, Tupper Lake, New York, lived in Powers, MI (Upper Peninsula) for most of her life, prior to moving to Arizona in 1997 and then returning to Michigan in 2012 to Burcham Hills Retirement Center, East Lansing, to be with family.  The great love of her life, LeRoy J. Nelson, passed away in 1996 after 54 years of marriage.  Teddi will long be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, grace and compassion, intellectual curiosity, capacity to love others, joyful personality, ability to write poetry and persistence in overcoming obstacles.

Married in 1942, Teddi and LeRoy were inseparable until his death in 1996.  Upon his return from service in WWII, Teddi and LeRoy built a restaurant in Powers, Michigan, which they ran until 1965.  They were part owners of radio stations in Escanaba and Hilo, Hawaii.  Teddi also worked at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother.  She and LeRoy traveled extensively throughout the world.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Sharman Moore (East Lansing) and Georgina “Gina” Nelson (Lansing) and by her sons Michael (Janet) Nelson (Mesa, AZ) and John Nelson (Spalding, MI), daughter-in-law Marilyn Nelson (Valparaiso, IN) and sister Florence (Mickie) O’Donnell.  She will also be missed by her five grandchildren, Kara (Bill Schilling), Jody, Kristi (Dale McMillan), Nikki and Hans and four great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by son Bill Nelson, grandson Justin Nelson, and Georgiana and Urgelle LaBonte who raised her from age two.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Burcham Hills for the years of wonderful care and also to Great Lakes Caring Hospice in her last days.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Burcham Hills Retirement Center, East Lansing, MI. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Teddi Nelson to the Burcham Hills Foundation, 2700 Burcham Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. www.EstesLeadley.com