Yvonne Jeanne Johnson was born third child of Melvin Harvey Johnson, Sr. and Helen Fern Bean in Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth, Kansas on November 9, 1935. Yvonne joined a sister, Darlene and brother, Melvin Harvey Johnson, Jr. Yvonne's early school years were spent in Aurora, Colorado and her family then moved to Moorhead, Minnesota. At the age of 16 Yvonne met the love of her life, Ronald Carl Nelson, Sr. on a double date and they married 7 March 1954 in Moorhead, Clay County, Minnesota. In the next 9 years their family was blessed by seven children, Ron Jr., Ross, Jeanne Renee, Kent, Karl, Keven and Kathy. Yvonne was busy caring for her growing family and working at a couple of assembly line jobs. She first built boats for Silverline and then tractors for Steiger Tractor which was bought out by the Case IH Tractor Company. Yvonne was short in height but tenacious in her approach to life. Life was never easy but she gave her all to make sure her family was fed. Yvonne had a love for learning and was a devoted reader. In her down time she could be found with a book in hand while her husband and the children rode motorcycles, went fishing or explored the surrounding countryside. Yvonne and Ron raised their children in Georgetown, Minnesota and a favorite place to visit was Itasca State Park. Just as the children arrived quickly they soon all left. Yvonne and Ron continued to reside in Georgetown until both retired and they moved to the Black Hills of Edgemont, South Dakota. They loved all the wildlife that wandered across their acreage. They tried gardening but the deer and rabbits ate anything planted. Ron loved to get in the car and go and Yvonne was his loyal sidekick. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ron and Yvonne served the Sisseton Branch in Sisseton, South Dakota and in the Billings Temple for a number of years. On January 31, 2017 Yvonne lost the love of her life, Ronald Nelson and a new chapter opened. In April 2017 Yvonne moved to Idaho first to Kamiah to live with her son, Karl and his wife Steph. This was a challenging time for Yvonne as she struggled not having her beloved husband of 64yrs by her side. In July 2017 she decided to move down to Nampa, Idaho to be with her son, Keven and his wife, Carol. During the 4 1/2 years she lived in Nampa she attended the Nampa 5th Ward with her son and his family. She was blessed in September 2017 to find an opening in the new Broadmore 2 Senior Living facility. She made great friends and enjoyed her time there. She resided there for over 3 years until declining health made it necessary to move to Sunny Ridge Senior Living. Her family is so grateful for all who have befriended Yvonne and helped to brighten her days since she moved to Idaho. On January 30th, Yvonne fell while trying to stand up from her chair which resulted in a fractured hip. She was placed in the Skyline Transitional center in Boise, Idaho and it was there she passed away in the early morning of February 10, 2022. Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, both siblings, her husband, Ronald Nelson, two children; Ronald Jr., and Jeanne Renee Lebacken and three grandchildren: Susie Nelson, CJ Nelson and Kim Nelson. She is survived by sons: Ross (Charlene) Nelson of Castleton, ND, Karl (Steph) Nelson of Kamiah, ID, Kent (Sole) Nelson of West Palm Beach, FL, Keven (Carol) Nelson of Nampa, ID and daughter, Kathy Pope of Seguin, TX, 21 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. There will be a graveside service in the spring at the Boyd Cemetery, Four Corners, Weston County, Wyoming when she is laid to rest beside her husband.
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