Edna Mae Nelson

Edna M. Nelson, 88, of Indianapolis went to be with our Lord on December 7, 2013. By grace she lived with enthusiasm in the spirit of God and served as a blessing to many friends and family. She was born Edna Mae Nemitz in Chicago on May 29, 1925 to Henry and Frances Ott Nemitz, who shared their strong Lutheran heritage with young Edna. She was raised in the Jefferson Park neighborhood while her parents helped found the Jefferson Park Lutheran Church. She graduated from Jones Commercial High School. On November 10, 1945 she married Herman Nelson and together they raised two children. The family moved to Melrose Park and Edna began a long career at Sears & Roebuck. She worked her way up from a retail position to retiring in 1988 as an editor in the Sears Catalog Department. Among her joys was her daily train ride to the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the world, where she worked on the 23rd floor. After retirement she poured her life and love of animals into volunteer activities at the Brookfield Zoo. She provided guided tours, took animals to schools and hospitals and even traveled with the zoo's educational department to Kenya. In her recent years she spent joyous time with her family and friends in Indianapolis where she lived at Westminster Village North. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother, Ralph Nemitz. She is survived by her 2 children, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Her children include Pamela Dryden of Carmel, IN and Paul Nelson of Morgantown, IN. Her grandchildren include Dr. Erica Leazenby, Amy Gellert, Jessica Nelson, Rachel Wilson, Dr. Sarah Perkins and Julie Griffith. A memorial service is scheduled for 2pm on December 21, 2013 at Westminster Village North, 11050 Presbyterian Drive, Indianapolis.