Diane Nelson

Diane Nelson, 92, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024. She was born on July 21, 1932 in Topeka, Kansas to John and Mary (Phillips) Shields.

Diane grew up in Topeka, KS and graduated in 1950 from Topeka High School. She met the love of her life there where she and Vern Nelson made popcorn together at the high school games. Vern joined the Air Force and shortly before being sent to Alaska they decided to be married. This was in 1951. She joined him in Alaska soon after he arrived and they lived there for 2 years. A few years later they were ready to start a family. Debbie was born in 1954 followed by Terri in 1955 and Greg in 1958. Vern left the Air Force in 1962 and they settled in Olathe where Christine was born. They loved Olathe and became involved in their church. She stayed home to raise their family but when the kids were in school, she became a children’s librarian at the Olathe Library and later became church secretary, church school superintendent and a leader in the adult Sunday school class at Grace United Methodist Church. Diane also volunteered at the Olathe Medical Center for over 25 years. She loved to read and was in several book clubs.

Diane is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Vernon Nelson, children Terri Olsen and Greg Nelson, 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and her sister, Janie Schmidt.

She was preceded in death by her 2 daughters, Debbie Lukas and Christine Nelson, a grandson, Brent Olsen, her brother, Jack Shields, 2 daughters-in-law and 2 sons-in-law.

Memorial Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 11485 S Ridgeview, Olathe, KS on Monday, August 26, 2024 with visitation at 10:00am and the service at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Diane’s memory be made to Grace United Methodist Church and/or YES and Silver Set through the church.



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