Joan Marie Nelson

Joan Marie Nelson died on February 17, 2022. Joan was born on September 18, 1939, to Joseph and Pauline Rodgers in Sacramento, CA. Joan grew up in Sacramento graduating from C. K. McClatchy in 1957. She went on to business school and through a friend met her lifelong love Ernest Nelson (Tiny). Joan was a big Elvis fan and Tiny looked just like Elvis. They were married on January 30, 1960, in Reno, NV.
Joan and Tiny traveled through the Death Valley area for Tiny’s job. Later they moved to the Klamath River living on Empire Creek until 1966 before they moved to Sacramento, CA. Joan learned to cook and process buck meat from her mother-in-aw, Lena Nelson. After returning to Sacramento, Joan worked for 25 years was as Key Data Operator for the State of California.
Joan was the matriarch of our family, providing care, support and being the rock of our family. She helped raise her grandkids and great-grandkids. Joan was always there to provide advice and guidance for all her family and friends. Joan was a smart and logical woman, and if given the same chance, she could have been an engineer or scientist. She was smart in saving, shopping and making ends meet. She took pride in paying bills on time and not having debt. She was a great cook learning a lot of skills from her mother-in-law Lena Nelson. Joan passed these skills to Tim, Colleen and the rest of her family. Her favorites dishes were porcupine meatballs, buck meat, pancakes and gravy. There were good times like watching the race with her mother to the yard sales for the best bargains. Later in years, Joan enjoyed shopping with daughter Colleen and they developed a wonderful relationship that flourished to the end. Joan was also proud of her kids, grand kids and great grand kids, and when they visited, she just lit up the room eager to talk. She also gave her advice and guidance to all the kids, and shared her vast knowledge. She will be missed by all.
Joan’s love for animals started at a young age. She raised numerous dogs and cats and shared this love with all her children. Joan supported the Front Street Animal Shelter and the Sacramento SPCA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan’s name to the Front Street Animal Shelter or the Sacramento SPCA.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Pauline and husband, Tiny.
Joan is survived by her children Tim (Patti) Nelson and Colleen (Richie) Nelson; grandchildren Erin, Amy, Chris, Steven Nelson; great-grandchildren Brianna, Michaela, Trevin, Justin Nelson; brother Paul (Gloria) Rodgers; aunts Ruth Raney and Edna Rodrigues; nieces, nephew, and many cousins.
Joan’s services will be on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 9:00 am visitation, 10:00 am service at the East Lawn Elk Grove Memorial Park, 9189 E Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, CA.