Carolyn Faye Nelson

Carolyn Faye Nelson
Born:  April 2, 1943
Entered into Rest:  March 3, 2022

Our beautiful mother, Carolyn, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her furry friends and comforting prayers both spoken and sung to her by her beloved cousin, Saundra. Carolyn was an only child and was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Dalta Ritter. She was also a widow to James Robert Falconer in 2007, and Richard Nelson in 2014.

Carolyn grew up in Clay Center, Kansas. She enjoyed living in the courthouse and making memories with countless friends and her cousins, who were more like siblings to her. She delighted in telling her daughters stories of her time spent living in Germany, how she was blessed to live a beautiful and fulfilling life. She was a devout Christian, and spent many a time helping out her church family with various needs. Carolyn always loved going home to Clay Center and showing her family around. They loved it as much as she did!

Carolyn spent many years as a hard-working anesthesia tech at Bergan Mercy Hospital. Her work ethic was impeccable and it always left anyone around her in awe. She also worked very hard at home. Dinners were always made; and her home was always perfectly clean and organized.

During Carolyn’s final days, she was asked what she was most proud of, and the answer was always “My Daughters.” She was also asked what she looked most forward to when she arrived in Heaven. With a big smiled she replied “Seeing Jesus, and all my family and loved ones.” She always had a way of bringing comfort to her loved ones, even in our darkest moments.

Carolyn leaves behind two daughters, Amy Olds (Jeff) of Carson, Iowa, and Jamie Brand (Jason) of Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Makenzie Brand, Riley French, Mason Brand, and Joshua French; one great-granddaughter, Leighton Brand-Miller. Carolyn certainly adored her great-grandbaby and took on the title “Grandma GG”, a title she lovingly shared with her mother when she was welcomed to the “Great” club. She leaves behind many beloved cousins; an aunt and uncle; her church family; her “bonus” children she gained when she married Richard; countless friends. She was fiercely loved by many!

Two years ago, Carolyn was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called Myelofibrosis. She never shed a tear about her terminal diagnosis (pretty sure her loved ones shed them for her). Her family looked at four years at best with her. They spent their days soaking up precious time and making final memories together. Carolyn contracted Covid in December of 2021. She spent many days and nights hospitalized, overcoming pneumonia, a misdiagnosis of giant cell arteritis, and a final diagnosis of invasive fungal aspergillus that took her eyesight, and her life on March 3, 2022. A disease so incredibly rare that an entire team of infectious disease doctors had never seen nor heard of it. Carolyn and her daughters gave permission for her story to be written in medical journals in hopes that another life might be spared while learning from hers.

Carolyn was courageous in her fight for her life and was ever devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her family rests knowing she is in the arms of Jesus, and they will miss and love her until they meet again.

VISITATION: Thursday, March 10^th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.  SERVICES: Friday, March 11^th at 1pm at Park Lane Baptist Church, 5550 N. 60^th Ave.  Memorials will be directed by the family.