Geraldine Pearl Robinson Nelson was born October 24, 1938 to Leslie and Ann Ihnken Robinson in Atlantic, Iowa. She died on May 21, 2026.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the Waters Funeral Home 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mexico, MO at 10:00 a.m.

She married Leslie Owen Nelson, Jr. (Les) on June 30, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Les proceeded her in death on May 7, 2007. Geraldine was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and an associate member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in McAllen, Texas.

She graduated from Anita High School in Anita, Iowa. Gerry also graduated from St. John’s Lutheran College in Winfield, Kansas and Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. She also took classes at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Geraldine was an elementary teacher in Hobart, Indiana and at Community R-6 in Laddonia, Missouri. She was active in Audrain County Retired Teachers, Tea Leaf Club, LWML, many farm organizations including 4-H and FFA. Gerry enjoyed attending theater, Miss Missouri Pageant, traveling, Cardinals and Royals baseball games, reading and listening to classical music. From 1997 to 2023, she was a winter Texan for 6 months of the year in Edinburg, Texas.

She is survived by her son Ralph (Christy) Nelson of Vandalia, Missouri and daughter Rochelle (Keith) Belt of New Harmony, Indiana. Grandchildren are Rebecca (Jed) Edwards of Farber, Missouri, Rachel (Nick) Wesslak of Vandalia, Missouri, Ryan (Katie) Nelson of Franklin, Indiana, Renee Nelson of Norwalk, Iowa and Samuel, Myles, and Caroline Belt of New Harmony, Indiana. Great Grandchildren include Joel Edwards, Ruby Edwards, Alice Nelson, George Nelson, and Carter Wesslak. Many nieces and nephews survive as well.

In addition to parents and husband, she was proceeded in death by 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

Pallbearers: Louis Schmidt, Jay Wilburn, Chris Newbrough, Frank Marth, Martin Keller, and Dale Deehr 

Honorary Pallbearers: Tom Nelson, Tim Nelson, Ted Nelson, Mark Bloede, Willard Bloede, Wayne Nelson, Larry Nelson

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Waters Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Eye Bank, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or St. John's Lutheran Church in Mexico, Missouri.