Catherine Nelson

Catherine Gesas Nelson, 94, passed away February 27, 2016, at Eastern Idaho Hopice Home. She was born January 22, 1922, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Joseph Gesas and Emma Garrett Gesas. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1939. She attended Reed College in Portland and Oregon State University, graduating as a registered dietician. Catherine married Gordon L. Nelson in the chapel of San Luis Obispo, California. After the war, they moved to Idaho Falls where she lived the rest of her life. She taught several years at O. E. Bell and Clair E. Gale Junior High. After Gordon’s sudden death, she and her employees expanded his wholesale frozen food business for five years. She served as a Brownie Scout leader; was on the Salvation Army board; the board of trustees of the Idaho Falls Public Library for ten years; Chairperson of the Mae Neuber Foundation for another ten years; served on the Mayor’s Committee for Cultural Grants; was a past president of the Idaho Falls Ladies Golf Association; and the first chairman of the IF Symphony Auxiliary. For two years, Catherine was the chairperson of the youth auditions to perform solos with the symphony. She belonged to a book study group for 53 years, sang in church choirs, and the Idaho Falls opera chorus. For the past fourteen years, she was an active member of the Idaho Falls Unitarian Universalist church and worked at the local Soup Kitchen. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; her only sibling, Norris Gesas; her husband, Gordon L. Nelson; and her dear friend, Ruben Reinke. She is survived by her daughter, Victoria McDonald; son, Joe (Rena) Nelson; and grandsons, Aaron and Jack McDonald and Robert and Scott Nelson. She was "adopted in spirit" by Susan Wallber, Josara Wallber Grosshans, Mike Wallber, and others. The family wishes to thank her many friends for their faithful friendships. A brief memorial service will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Idaho Falls Unitarian Universalist Church, 555 E Street. Following the service, the family will be receiving friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, 300 S. Capital Avenue. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite charity. Some of Catherine’s favorite charities were the Unitarian Church of Idaho Falls, various Idaho Falls arts organizations, City of Refuge, Ruth House, and Nature Conservancy of Idaho.

Memorial Services will be held