Carol Nelson

Carol Nelson

Carol Nelson, a resident of Sparks, Nev., passed away on May 23, 2017, following a battle with pneumonia. Carol was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1950 to James and Elaine (Wombacher) Funkhouser. She married high school classmate Lee Nelson on July 1, 1972, and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Interior Design in 1974.

Carol and Lee lived in New Jersey, San Francisco, and several San Francisco Bay-area cities before eventually moving to Sparks to be near family. Carol worked in retailing including as a buyer for I. Magnin. Lee and Carol welcomed their only child, Ashley, into the world in 1984. Finally, to her great joy, Carol became a grandmother in 2015. Carol loved traveling, gardening, ceramics, jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with family and friends.

Carol’s battle for her health began with overcoming polio at age five. Her quiet strength and determination enabled her to persevere and lead a full life. We say a fond goodbye to an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. We are grateful for the all the years we had with her. Although it will never feel long enough, we have a wealth of memories to carry forward with us.

Carol is survived by her husband, Lee; daughter, Ashley and son-in-law, Joe; granddaughter, Kaylee; sister, Donna; and brother, Dick.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Reno, Nev., on June 23, 2017. She will be interred at the Northern Nevada Veterans’ Cemetery in Fernley, Nev., to eventually be joined by her husband.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital in Spokane, Wash.

Thank you to all of the family, friends, coworkers and classmates who enriched Carol’s life. Your friendship means the world to all of us.