Kay Nelson
June 26, 1948 ~ September 12, 2023
Kay 'Rusty' Nelson, 75, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on September 12, 2023, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House Hiawatha, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at the Olive Tree Restaurant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The family is being cared for by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Rusty is survived by her beloved wife, KayLynn; their four fur babies, Skeeter, Tucker, Khloe, and Charlie; step-son, David (Melissa); grandchildren, Brevianna and Dean; brother, Phil (Kim); sister-in-law, Sue (Jeanne); and nephew, Jason.Rusty is preceded in death by her mother, Elsie; father, Grant; brother, Ronnie; sister, Sandy; stepmother, Jo Ann; various aunts, uncles, and cousins, and special friend, Denny Maschman.
Rusty had a variety of interest. She loved to sing karaoke, fishing, bowling, telling stories, and making people laugh. She especially loved embarrassing her wife to the point she would turn beet red. Rusty also loved stock car races, crazy eight races, tractor pulls, and watching her favorite teams; Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings. She also loved watching games shows and Young and the Restless. In the summer it was not unusual finding her by a river fishing and roasting a hotdog on an open fire. During the summer you would find her tooling around at city wide garage sales riding her golf cart. She would stop and talk to anyone about anything and then move on the next unsuspecting person. Off she would go to find the perfect treasures and load them onto her golf cart. 'One woman's junk was another woman's treasure, and that was her firm belief!'
Rusty also had a love for food. Rusty and KayLynn would often load up in the car and off they would go to various places in Iowa. When they found an interesting place, they would stop and eat, and wander back home again. As Rusty's health went downhill, she loved to go to the Olive Tree to have a bite to eat and spend time with her friends, otherwise known as her Olive Tree family.
A special thank you to Dr. John Brownell and staff, Mercy Medical Center Emergency Room, Cedar Rapids Fire and Ambulance crews, Mercy Home Health (Jen D), Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House, Reverand Jerry Stevenson, Arthur Barbine Sr., Becky Stanton, Theresa Schwab, Bethany and Everett Wood, Mounif and Houda Shaheen, and Lisa Blaha Harbit for all their loving care and support during Rusty's final weeks.
Rusty's good nature and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all. Please remember her stories and her love for all of you that touched her life.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Lynn, Rusty will be missed but most importunately remembered by those of us she touched our lives in one way or another. The first time I met Rusty was when I moved into the house across the street. I made a fire pit and had some fires at night. Pretty much the next day I hear this yelling across the street, “Hey you, new neighbor! Come over!” I did and that’s how we met. Then she offered me free firewood as long I removed myself out of the garage. I did of course. Happy times.
Beautiful memory of Rusty.
I love you Rusty (nail), first time I met you , I was going through a door and You hollered out to me “Don’t let the Door hit you in the ###, I was uncertain what to think, so I went back to our table and said to Everett , and told him , He just snickered and said : Rusty?, she’s okay , she’s just nice and just messing with you, I learned to absolutely love her, and always will, And Kay Lynn also 🌈
And from.that first day youbhave been like family to her. She loved you.
There are 53 years of memories I could share. Both good and not so good. The best ones are the little things that we shared. Our paper route in Arizona when she fell butt first in a cactus, camping trips with our friends, her silly jokes and nicknames she had for me. Taking us all over Cedar Rapids and Marion to find a place to live when I came back from CA. We didn’t talk all the time but I knew she was always close if I had something to share with her. Kay I will miss you so so much. Love you.
I loved reading the good memories you have of Kay
I loved chatting with Rusty at the Olive Tree
Spoke to Rusty many times. If the dogs would let me close enough! She was always very kind and asked about my life and my kids. Such a sweet spirit and good friend. Gifted me some CDs of my favorite crooners. She said she appreciated my old soul and the feeling was mutual!