Phyllis Nelson

Phyllis Adelyne Bauer Nelson of Tallahassee, Florida, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at home on the morning of November 4, 2022.  

Phyllis was born on December 30, 1927, in Delano, Minnesota to Leonard William and Adeline Matter Bauer. She graduated from West High in Minneapolis in 1945, and married John E. (Jack) Nelson on March 20, 1948, after meeting him when they were both working at Yellowstone National Park. Following Jack’s graduation from Northwest College of Chiropractic, they lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

Phyllis was blessed with a brilliant mind, nurtured a tremendous faith, and enjoyed Bible study and her church. She was an avid reader, and loved traveling the world, taking holidays at the lake and the beach, boating, dancing, skiing, ice skating, football, history, genealogy, writing, challenging anyone to a board game, all things musical—she had a gorgeous singing voice—and spending time with her extended family and many cherished friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda P. Nelson of Tallahassee; her son, Dr. Scott R. Nelson (Kay) of Newport Beach, California; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Dorothy Gavett of Minnetonka, Minnesota; and many beloved cousins, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Donald and Dale Bauer, her loving husband, Jack, and her precious granddaughter, Jeni Webb. She was thankful to the clergy of Christ Church for their spiritual support, and grateful to everyone who surrounded her with love, prayers and compassion during her final days. 

Services will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, November 19, 2022, in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs.

Visitation will be held prior to service from 10:00 AM until service time.

Interment will be held at Crestview Memorial Gardens.