Joan Elizabeth (Bailey) Nelson

Please click on the link to view he recording of Joni's Funeral Mass

Mass of Christian Burial for Joni Nelson

Joan “Joni” Elizabeth Nelson passed away on December 26, 2023. The youngest of five children, she was born on September 16, 1960, in Ottumwa, Iowa to parents Virgil Roscoe and Mary Catherine Bailey. Joni attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Ottumwa, graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1979, and went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa.

Joni first met her husband Brian while at the University of Northern Iowa where she and Brian started dating, and fell in love. After college, they married in 1984 and began life together.

In 1990 they were blessed with their son Alex who was and will always be everything to her. Joni was a proud stay at home mother which allowed her to volunteer frequently at Alex’s school, and make the Nelson home the place always filled with his friends. Anyone under Joni’s watchful eye was going to be well fed as she always planned for extra plates at dinner just like her Mother had.

Joni and Brian lived in many places, including Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Shanghai, China and Brisbane, Australia. She and Brian’s love and devotion deepened on these journeys, as the distance from family meant they leaned on each other more than ever. Joni loved to travel and was a great partner in the adventures that she and Brian experienced in many countries and states.

Family was exceptionally important to Joni throughout her life. Her parents Virgil and Mary Kay raised five wonderful children, all of whom Joni remained close even when thousands of miles away. Her love of cooking and baking meant she was always contributing some dish or dessert to family events.

Joni’s Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life as well. She was a member of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata, and she was proud that Brian joined the church to worship with her as well.

She was a friend to nearly everyone she met - Joni will be deeply missed by all.

Joni is survived by husband of 39 years, Brian; son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Madeline; siblings, Janet (Tom) Williamson, Pat (Charles) Coghlan, Stephen (Les) Bailey and Cathy (Don) Copley; father-in-law, Jim Nelson; sister-in-law, Deanne (Jerry) Green; brother-in-law, Gene Nelson; many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil Roscoe Bailey and Mary Catherine Bailey; mother-in-law, Beverly Nelson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 5, 2024 at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Road, Wayzata, with visitation beginning at 10 AM at the church. A private interment will be held at a later date.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Name of Jesus , and / or the American Red Cross in support of Heimlich maneuver and CPR training.