Barbara J. Nelson

Barbara J. Nelson, 70, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on Oct. 28, 1943, in Lindsborg, Kan., to Eugene D. and Ruth V. (Nelson) Erickson. Barbara graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1961 and from Bethany College in Lindsborg in 1965, where she majored in elementary education. She married Fred Nelson in June of 1965 in Lindsborg, Kan. She taught in public and parochial schools in New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska. She earned an M.Ed. with a reading specialist certificate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1984. She taught reading and writing skills to inmates in the Lincoln Correctional System and in the Nebraska Men's Penitentiary in Lincoln, Neb. Later she taught international students at NWACC. She retired from teaching in 2009. During her life, Barbara enjoyed playing the violin with various church and civic groups. She taught Sunday school, sang in church choirs and participated in church activities wherever she lived. She loved children of all ages and animals of all types. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Fred Nelson of the home; two daughters, Kristin Armstrong and her husband, Spencer, of Fayetteville, and Erika Aggus and her husband, Bret, of Fayetteville; four grandsons, Jack and Bruce Armstrong, and Henry and Nelson Aggus, all of Fayetteville; her brother, Bruce Erickson and his wife, Mary, of Rio Hondo, Texas; and one cat named "Sunny" of the home. A memorial service will be Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 11 a.m., with Pastor Clint Schnekloth presiding. A graveside committal service will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Lindsborg, Kan., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, with Pastor Loren Mai presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 Old Missouri Road, Fayetteville, AR 72703. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.