Oren Nelson

Oren Melvin Nelson, 95, formerly of Elsmore, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 25, 2012, at his home in Toluca Lake, California. Oren was born February 18, 1917, at Elsmore, the son of Oscar and Rebecca (Smading) Nelson. He grew up in the Elsmore area where he attended South Fairview Grade School in Allen County, Kansas. He was a farmer, had dairy cows, and owned and operated a milk route hauling milk from dairy farms to Neosho Valley Creamery at Erie, Kansas for many years. He was always willing to help a neighbor if they needed help farming. Oren married Nola Merle Lowe and they had three children before she preceded him in death in April of 1960. On March 3, 1979, Oren married Pearl (Draper) Hunt and they made their home in Iola, Kansas. They traveled to numerous countries around the world. Oren was a member of the Lion's Club in Iola. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. They would go for a drive most Sundays and would end up in Oklahoma or Joplin to save a dime on milk. They loved going for rides. Pearl preceded him in death November 29, 2010. Oren did numerous projects like making things out of wood and Bunka Punch Embroidery. He loved working in the yard and planting lots of tulips. SURVIVORS: His 3 Children: Melvin Nelson & wife, Phyllis of Moran, KS, Eileen James & husband, Jim of Garnett, KS, and Ron Nelson & wife, Eileen of rural Bonner Springs, KS 3 Step-Sons: Bob Hunt & wife, Nita of Marysville, OH, Don Hunt & partner, Charles Reilly of Toluca Lake, CA, and Ken Hunt & wife, Carla of Iola, KS Sister-In-Law: Virginia Nelson of Olathe, KS A host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Hazel Dahlstrom and two brothers, Floyd and Carroll Nelson. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola, where the family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. BURIAL: Bethel Cemetery, rural Erie, Kansas MEMORIAL CHOICES: Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF) or American Heart Association Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .