Geels, Nelson - 1930-2024

BULTSMA, COLE, GEELS, JANSEN, KEMPERS, LEFEBRE, NIKKEL, VAN GENDEREN, VAN KOOTEN, VAN MAANEN, VOS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 9/17/2024 at 09:58:05

Nelson Geels, 94, of Pella and formerly of Sully, passed away Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at The Cottages in Pella.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 13, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment in Sully Cemetery will be at 10 a.m. prior to the memorial service at the church. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 12, at Sully First Reformed Church with the family present 5-7 p.m.  Memorials may be given for the building fund of Sully Christian Reformed Church or to Sully Christian School.
Nelson Geels was born June 5, 1930, in Beaverdam, MI, to the Rev. John and Betty (Kempers) Geels. He was the oldest of six children. Nelson attended Beaverdam Christian Grade School in Michigan until the eighth grade. His family then relocated to Sully where he graduated from Pella Christian High School. After high school, Nelson served in the Army in West Germany during the Korean War.
Nelson met the love of his life, Alberta Doris Jansen, at church one night in Sully. They were married Dec. 29, 1953, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. To this union five children were born: Gary Eugene, Beverly Jean, Norma Diane, Beth Joan, and Bruce Nelson. Nelson and Doris lived near Lynnville and Kellogg for a short time following their marriage and then moved to Sully where they raised their family. Nelson worked at the Sully Creamery, the Sully Co-op Lumberyard, Pella Corporation, and finished by being a driver for Pella Regional Health Center. Many people in the Sully area will remember Nelson for his roofing abilities, which he did for many years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his five children and their spouses: Gary (Susan) Geels of Panora, Beverly (Mike) Van Genderen of Sully, Norma (Karl) Bultsma of Evansdale, Beth (David) Van Maanen of Pella, and Bruce (Brenda) Geels of Watanga, OK; 21 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Of his original family, Nelson leaves the following brothers and sisters and their spouses: Lillian and Bill Nikkel of Pella, Gretta (Chester) Geels of Milwaukee, WI, Barb (Stan) Cole of Bellflower, CA, John and Linda Geels of Littletown, CO, and Betty and Lee Lefebre of Denver, CO. Nelson also leaves his wife Doris’ siblings: Cornelia (Charlie) Jansen of Grand Rapids, MI, Janet (Guy) Jansen of Pella, Wilma (Delmer) Van Kooten of Pella, Arlyn (Ed) Jansen of Cutlerville, MI, Berdena (Junior) Vos of Sully, and Melvin and Marilyn Jansen of Newton.
Nelson was preceded in death by his loving wife Doris Geels on Jan. 23, 2010, his parents, a brother Chester Geels, his parents-in-law Evert and Gertie Jansen, and his brothers-in-law Stan Cole, Charlie Jansen, Guy Jansen, Ed Jansen, Junior Vos, Delmer Van Kooten, and Dick Jansen.
Nelson was a very kind and loyal man. He enjoyed taking pictures, camping, woodworking, listening to hymns, and making homemade ice cream to enjoy with his loving family. He was a faithful member of Sully Christian Reformed Church.
Source: Hometown Press (Sully, IA); Wednesday, September 11, 2024