Janet Nelson-Reed
Oskaloosa. Janet Yvonne Nelson-Reed, 88, of Oskaloosa entered into eternal rest Saturday, April 19, 2025, while being cared for at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born on May 8, 1936, at Mary Greely Hospital in Ames, Iowa, the daughter of Irving and Marie Sickels Ryan. She grew up on her parents’ farm in rural Slater, Iowa. She attended school at Slater and was a basketball player. On March 4, 1953, she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Nelson at Princeton, Missouri. Following their marriage, they moved to Oskaloosa and raised two children, Joe and Chris. Bill passed away after 32 years of marriage. In 1955, Janet began working at Seifert’s Clothing Store as a bookkeeper. In 1987, she took a job working in the office at Iowa Power. She continued to work at the power company through the transition to Mid-American Energy and retired from there after 28 years of service. On November 14, 1998, she was united in marriage to Ed Reed at the Presbyterian Church in Corning, Iowa. The two of them enjoyed traveling to Branson, Missouri and Florida for many years. They celebrated 12 years of marriage prior to Ed’s passing.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Joseph “Joe” (Kathy) Nelson of Oskaloosa; her daughter, Christine “Chris” (Dean) Neubauer of Slater, Iowa; a grandson, Jason Nelson; a granddaughter, Amanda Nelson; three great granddaughters, Liberty Mowrer, Zoey Mowrer, and Alyssa Nelson; stepsons, Bob (Peggy) Reed, Rick (Janet) Reed, Randal (Kim) Reed, and Wade (Janelle) Reed; step daughters, Jennifer (Eldon) Ray and Melissa (Jason) Bennet; and many step grandchildren and great grandchildren; as well as special friends Roger Deal and Bonnie Snider.
In addition to her two husbands, Bill and Ed; Janet was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Gary Ryan.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family present will be in the Bates Funeral Chapel on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 10:30. Memorials may be made to the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.