Joyce A. Nelson

Dearly loved by many, Joyce Nelson went home to sing in Heaven on August 20, 2021. She was born to Everet and Elaine Taylor in Lincoln on April 20, 1958, and raised on a farm north of Lincoln. She graduated from Waverly High School where she was active as president of student council and the FHA chapter, 4-H, and as a majorette in the marching band. Dating since high school, she married Woody Nelson on May 27, 1978. They moved to the Bay Area in California in 1988, then to Liberty Township, Ohio, in 1998, then back to Lincoln in 2006 raising their three children along the way who all graduated from UN-L. She studied music at the University of Nebraska and at Sonoma State University and was a professional vocalist with rock bands throughout much of her life. She enjoyed singing in the First Free Church worship team over the past 13 years. By far, her favorite music was singing songs with her grandchildren. She retired in 2020 as the receptionist at Endocrinology of Lincoln and previously at Ehlers Animal Care where she enthusiastically knew all the names of a thousand clients, less so the names of their owners. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Woodrow Nelson, son Jared Nelson (Sara) of Lincoln, daughter Natalie Roy (Adam) of Northglenn, CO, son Jeffrey Nelson (Molly) of Lincoln, father Everet Taylor of Lincoln, sister Sharon Rowan of Lincoln, brother Dale Taylor (Kris) of Hallam, mother-in-law Carolyn Nelson of Lincoln, along with five grandchildren, several brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was a loving caregiver and bright light to everyone who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider making a donation to the Cancer Research Institute [link attached].