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Leola Arlene Nelson
September 12, 1923 – June 22, 2021
Leola Arlene Nelson obit
Leola Arlene Nelson (1923-2021)

Leola Arlene Nelson


September 12, 1923 – June 22, 2021


Leola Nelson was born on Sept. 12, 1923 in Fort Bragg to Roy and Genevieve (Fysh) Kephart. They lived in several California towns before moving to Ceres when Leola was six years old.

Leola attended school in Ceres, graduating from Ceres Grammar School in 1936 and Ceres High School in 1940. She attended Modesto Junior College for one year before entering the Nursing Program at Santa Clara County Hospital in San Jose. She graduated from Nursing School in 1944 and went to work at Santa Clara County Hospital. It was there that she met Gene Nelson and they married on Aug. 11, 1946. They lived and worked in San Jose until their second daughter was born in 1962, at which time they returned to Ceres.

Following the move, Leola quickly went back to nursing at Memorial Hospital Association. She worked there for just over 25 years, retiring in 1988. Retirement was not for her and she returned part-time at the hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility.

Leola became interested in family history and she and Gene traveled to Norway in 1988 to find his roots. They were fortunate to connect with long lost relatives there and were able to enjoy three months together. Leola has also done extensive research on her own side of the family tree, finding her father’s lineage in Germany. Several Revolutionary War veterans were in her family which allowed her to join the Major Hugh Moss Chapter of the D.A.R. She also joined several genealogical societies in Pennsylvania as well as the Stanislaus County Genealogical Society.

Gene and Leola had two daughters, Cheryl Moore and Janine Goubert; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Moore, Jacinda Beauchamp, Julie Lara, Justin Goubert, Jillian Crow, Jordan Goubert, Jeremy Goubert; and nine great-grandchildren. Leola leaves behind one brother, Richard Kephart and was preceded in death by another, Delmer Kephart.

At her request there will be no services. She will be inurned at Acacia Memorial Park, next to Gene, finally together again.

Special thanks to her caregivers.

Remembrances may be made to the Westley/El Solyo Fire Department, P.O. Box 911, Westley CA 95387.

Arrangements were conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel of Patterson.


–Ceres (Calif.) Courier

Wednesday, June 30, 2021