Gayanne Jo Nelson

Gayanne Jo Miller Nelson

Gayanne was born July 27, 1935 to Don and Dorotha Miller in Kalamazoo, MI, her sister Jan was an added pleasure to her life in September of 1950.

She met Edwin Nelson at Zion Lutheran Church while attending the youth group Walther League. They fell in love and married June 26, 1955. Edwin was in the army so Gayanne became a military wife until his discharge in February of 1956.

Their first born, Sharon, graced their life in March of 1956. They grew their family by adding Cathy in 1958, Luanne in 1960, and Barbara in 1964. Their four girls gave her much joy as well as a very busy life!

Gayanne loved being a stay-at-home mother and wife. She was room mother at school, Girl Scout leader to her girl's troops, the keeper of all traditions at Zion Lutheran Church, and the baker of goodies for all occasions.

As her girls grew, she became involved in exploring work opportunities. She became an Avon sales representative - quickly achieving the rank of Gold Ambassador. She loved meeting new people. She then decided that perhaps real estate was the place for her. She got her license and enjoyed matching homes with the people who belonged in them. As the real estate market dipped, she decided to join the ranks of retail by selling jewelry at Osterman Jewelers. She loved the idea of helping people find the perfect piece of jewelry and rose to become office manager before retiring to enjoy the good life.

During this busy time her girls grew her family by adding sons-in-laws. Dick, Michael, Steve, and Dan added a great deal of love and laughter to her life. Her family continued to expand with the joy of grandchildren as they came along. Dan (Sonya) and Doug Moyle, Kevin (Amira), Cameron, and Kelly McGuire, Lance (Emily), Rebecca, and Andrew Curry, and Liam DeRosa all increased the love and laughter. In time, the grandchildren started getting married and again, more joy was brought to her life. The great-grandchildren, Ava, Zoey, Grace, Owen, and Addison all loved their great-grandma, almost as much as she loved them.

Her life of leisure became filled with volunteer positions and other opportunities. She became a Borgess Hospital "purple coat", and joined the Red Cross legion of volunteers. She joined the bell choir at church, and trained to become a Stephen Minister at Zion - eventually becoming a Stephen Ministry Leader. Gayanne became a talented needleworker, attending conferences and completing many beautiful large pieces of cross-stitch and crewel embroidery.

Gayanne and Ed took advantage of their time to enjoy many trips, visiting their children and grandchildren, but the highlight of their travels was their trip to the Holy Lands. She was struck by the beauty and the holiness of the region.

In 2002, Gayanne and Ed decided to start a new adventure. They moved to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. She quickly became involved in their new church, their neighborhood association, and the many friends they made. She loved having her families visit and enjoyed showing off their new home and area.

Several years ago Gayanne began the biggest fight of her life. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She found help with some wonderful doctors and the constant, unconditional love and support of her husband, but the disease took a huge toll on her life, as well as her loved ones. She and Edwin moved to Columbia, SC to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Luanne and Steve, for some additional support as her health declined. She gradually lost her memories, but her heart and laughter remained until the end.

Gayanne Nelson went home to her Lord on December 8th, 2017 in Columbia, SC. Her celebration of life is taking place in Kalamazoo, MI with a visitation on Sunday, December 17, 2017 and a service on Monday, December 18, 2017, both at Langeland Family funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel. She will be interred at Fort Custer National Cemetery. We, as a family, are requesting contributions to the Alzheimer's Association in lieu of flowers.

Gayanne was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, a friend, and an example of living life with dignity and grace under difficult circumstances. She found her greatest solace in her Lord and is at peace with him now.