Nelda Willfong, age 90, of Sioux Rapids, IA passed away quietly at her home on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Memorial services will be held Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Church in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Nelda Charlene Lauman was born on August 5, 1925 in Sioux Rapids, IA to William and Myrtle (Hand) Lauman. She graduated from Sioux Rapids Consolidated School in 1943. She attended the Union Pacific Telegraph School in Omaha, NE after graduation. For a time she was sent to Utah to relieve operators so they could get physicals for the war. When she returned to IA she worked for Dr. Swallum in Storm Lake, IA.

Nelda met her husband, William (Jr) Willfong at Cobblestone and they later married on November 25, 1945 at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, IA. Together they raised four children: Pamela, Ann, Jay and Greg. Her husband passed away in 1970.

During her 90 years on this earth, Nelda made many friends; and she often entertained those friends with stories and jokes. She was happiest when she kept her hands busy. She was skilled at a lot of different things, and had a project or two in the making at all times. She could fix or make just about anything. All of her life she loved sewing. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting and crafts of any kinds. She also knew the art of Hardanger. She taught her granddaughters the basics of sewing and knitting and showed card tricks to her great grandchildren. Kids who came to Granny’s always knew where the bowl of candy was.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Pam (Damon) Mooney of Nemaha, IA; Ann (Terry) McMaster of Arvada, CO; Jay (Risa) Willfong of Sioux Rapids, IA; and Greg (Angela) Willfong of Scottsdale, AZ. Grandchildren: Marc (Julie) Mooney of Yankton, SD; Lori (Jason) Lamping of Johnston, IA; Eric (Abby) McMaster of Erie, CO; and Christopher McMaster of Denver, CO; Samantha (Ryan) Roder of Albert City, IA; Jami (Slade) Grady of Spencer, IA; Geoff Willfong of Spencer, IA; and Addison and Kenadie Willfong of Scottsdale, AZ. Great grandchildren: Benjamin, Samuel and Claire Mooney, Jayna and Cara Lamping, Taylor and Madison McMaster, Deegan and Hudson Grady and Caitlyn Willfong.

Nelda was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and in-laws, her sister Phyllis Petty, her grandson, Ryan Willfong and long-time friend and companion, Roger Mills. Roger and Nelda enjoyed playing golf and traveling. After a stroke, she took care of him for many years until his death. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews and extended friends. She will be greatly missed.

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