Bonnie Nell (Zastrow) Nelson

Bonnie Nell (Zastrow) Nelson, El Dorado Springs, died on Jan. 16, 2021, at Cedar County Hospital in El Dorado Springs. Bonnie was born Nov. 30, 1932, at Nora Springs, IA, the daughter of Fred W. and Norma (Schultz) Zastrow. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and educated in Nora Springs and Mason City, IA public schools.

After high school, Bonnie worked in Minneapolis, MN where she met a young sailor, VeRone (Vern) Nelson. On Aug. 13, 1952, Bonnie married VeRone at the Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK, while VeRone was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base on Kodiak Island. They enjoyed a happy marriage almost 67 years.

During their life together, VeRone’s naval career took them to many places in the United States and the island of Guam in the Pacific for three years where they snorkeled as often as they could. They enjoyed new cultures and adventures at every locale where they resided while serving in the U.S. Navy, Long Beach, CA, Portland, OR, Memphis, TN, and others.  In 1965 when VeRone retired from military service, they moved to southwest Missouri where they farmed, raising Black Angus cattle and retired again in 1987, to El Dorado Springs. Bonnie was an avid reader and possessed an intellectual curiosity that prompted her to take personal development courses that included an EMT course and computer training.  She had an abundance of energy and gardened, manicured her lawn, was an excellent cook and mastered making lefse, a staple with her husband’s Norwegian heritage.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband on June 21, 2019;  her parents, Fred Zastrow and Norma Swartz;  a brother, Jim, and wife, Barbara Hansen;  a sister, Betty Larsen, and husband, Raymond;  nephew, Lyle, killed in Vietnam, and niece, Rebecca;  step-mother, Mae Zastrow, and step-sister, Norma, and husband, Elmer Fingalsen.

She is survived by her  nieces, Nancy (Larsen) Sweeny, Julie (Larsen) Weide;  nephews, Virgil and Roger Larsen, John, Lawrence, Max and Gegory Hansen;  VeRone’s nieces, Deb Nelson Scholten and Doreen Nelson Carter and step-nephews, Jim and Tom Fingalsen.

Services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery with Rev. Brent Bland officiating.

Music: “I Believe” and “Amazing Grace.”

Final disposition burial at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Arrangements by Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs. www.sheldongoodrich.com.