Obituary of Kimela Nelson

Kimela Nelson, 61 of 24 Erobi Lane, Iowa City, died suddenly Thursday, August 14, 2008, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Celebration of Kimela’s life service will begin at 3pm Sunday, August 17th at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. There will be a time for sharing during and after these services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to CASA (Crawford Area Shelter for Animals @ P.O. Box 338, Ferryville, WI 54628). Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Kimela was born October 31, 1946, in Torrance Beach, CA the daughter of Ross and Mildred (Nelson) Nelson. Following graduation from high school she attended and graduated with her BA degree in English from California State University at Long Beach in 1971. She later received her certification from the Interpreter Training Program from St. Paul Technical College in 1992. She has been involved in the American Sign Language Programs at both Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa, most recently as a lecturer and program coordinator at the University of Iowa. She has belonged to numerous local, state, and federal professional organizations throughout the years. Kimela has developed many friends and associates within the profession and outside of it. Her love of animals was embraced by many, as well as her deep feelings for women’s rights, and the general well being of all living things. She was an advocate of peace at home as well as abroad. Her family and closest friends include her partner in life, Deb Spurgeon of Iowa City; her aunt, Phyllis Nelson and her family of California; cousins, Robert Nelson (Jan) of Minnesota, Midge Gustas of Oklahoma City, OK, Sandra Slaughter (John) of Ames, IA, and numerous other cousins; close friends Kristi Lynch and Donita Hermsen of Coralville, and Jo Billings of Iowa City; God Parents, Bunny and Roger Ayers and their family of California; and of course her four cats, Salsa, Deilig, Max, and Jinx. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Kimela’s family and her services.