Nelms, Barbara Capper

Barbara Capper Nelms, 93, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 3, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital following a brief illness. There will be a funeral mass to celebrate Barbara's life March 17, 2012, at All Saints Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Barbara will be buried following a graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg, Iowa, later this spring.

Barbara is survived by daughter, Sandra (David) Nelms Blair of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, Caleb P. Stukenberg of Cedar Falls, Jordan E. Stukenberg of Aplington, and Richard C. Blair of Cedar Rapids; and her son-in-law, David Stukenberg of Aplington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard E. Nelms; daughter Virginia (Ginger) Nelms Stukenberg; and sister, Phyllis Teeter.

Barbara Capper Nelms was born Nov. 30, 1918, in Aurelia, Iowa, to Archie F. and Vesta (Chapman) Capper. She was raised in Waterloo. Barbara graduated in 1936 from East High School in Waterloo and attended University of Iowa nursing school until the death of her father.

Barbara worked at KXEL Radio as a control operator. On Jan. 15, 1945, she married Richard B. Nelms. They retired to Parkersburg, Iowa, and after her husband's death, she moved to Cedar Rapids in 1999, where she lived with her daughter's family. Barbara had many friends, young and old and was a trusted adviser, always willing to listen. She loved taking care of her husband and kids and was a doting grandmother. Barbara was a member of All Saint's Catholic Church. She will be missed.

Gifts may be given to All Saint's Catholic Church.

The family would like to thank St. Luke's Hospice for their compassion and professionalism.

Online condolences may be directed to under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette March 8, 2012.