Nelsen, Sherry Dianne

Sherry Dianne Nelsen, 66, of Newhall, died Saturday, July 16, 2011, from a courageous and lengthy battle of Lymphoma in her home surrounded by her family. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial: Watkins Cemetery, Watkins, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, 1221 First Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her significant other, Derrell Dempster; three daughters, Wanda (Steve) Gordon of Atkins, Denise (Dan) Moeller of Newhall and Debbie (Jeff) Cecak of Amana; two brothers, Dave (Chris) Nelsen of Erie, Pa., and Murray (Madonna) Nelsen of Fargo, N.D.; a sister, Laurie (Tom) Happel of Minot, N.D.; and 11 grandchildren; Danielle Gordon, Brittany Cecak, Jayme Gordon, Stephanie Cecak, Ashley Cecak, Evan Moeller, Nick Gordon, Nathan Cecak, Ethan Moeller, Hannah Moeller and Carson Cecak.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sherry was born May 6, 1945, in Williston, N.D., the daughter of Harold and Dorothy Mattern Nelsen. She was employed at General Mills for 30 years. She enjoyed crafts, the farmers market, gardening and working on her home. Sherry was a very amazing and talented sewer. She made her daughters wedding dresses and wonderful receiving blankets for her grandchildren and friends children. Sherry loved spending time with her grandchildren, it was priceless. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Mayo Clinic for giving her a chance to beat this disease.

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Memorials may be directed to the family.