Obituary: Lois Nelson

Lois Nelson died peacefully on Jan. 9, 2025 at the age of 87. Born in Chicago, Illinois to Rev. John E. and Elizabeth (Almen) Genn, she was doted on by multiple Swedish aunts and grew up as a strong-willed minister’s daughter. 

After graduating from high school in Moline, she earned a degree in history at Illinois Wesleyan University, followed by a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, both on full scholarships. The first year of her career was spent with the Ford Foundation in New York City before moving to Oxford with her husband in 1961. She taught school, attended the Oxford United Methodist Church and had three children. A talented seamstress, she made beautiful clothes for herself and her daughters and later made hand-made quilts for everyone in the family.  She tended an extensive garden, and her love for the natural world led her to earn a second master’s from the Institute of Environmental Studies at Miami University. 

In 1989 she bought her dream home north of Oxford and began her career as technical editor for various environmental contractors, beginning with the nearby Fernald restoration in Ross, Ohio as well as projects in Idaho Falls, Oak Ridge and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts. She took advantage of her children’s international careers to visit Guatemala, Venezuela, and South Africa, and cherished trips to Europe and the British Isles, Turkey and China. 

In retirement she managed the monitoring program at Three Valley Conservation Trust, volunteered with CASA, and was Board President for Oxford Citizens for Peace and Justice. She spent every possible moment with grandsons Benjamin and Lucas. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and her beloved daughter Diane.  She will be forever missed by Erika, Brian (Natalia) and extended family and friends. Please consider making contributions in her honor to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.